shrug

[shruhg] /ʃrʌg/
verb (used with object), shrugged, shrugging.
1.
to raise and contract (the shoulders), expressing indifference, disdain, etc.
verb (used without object), shrugged, shrugging.
2.
to raise and contract the shoulders.
noun
3.
the movement of raising and contracting the shoulders.
4.
a short sweater or jacket that ends above or at the waistline.
Verb phrases
5.
shrug off,
  1. to disregard; minimize:
    to shrug off an insult.
  2. to rid oneself of:
    to shrug off the effects of a drug.
Origin
1350-1400; (v.) Middle English schruggen to shudder, shrug < ?; (noun) late Middle English shrugge a tug, pull, derivative of the v.
Related forms
unshrugging, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for shrug off

shrug off

verb (transitive, adverb)
1.
to minimize the importance of; dismiss
2.
to get rid of
3.
to wriggle out of or push off (clothing)

shrug

/ʃrʌɡ/
verb shrugs, shrugging, shrugged
1.
to draw up and drop (the shoulders) abruptly in a gesture expressing indifference, contempt, ignorance, etc
noun
2.
the gesture so made
3.
a woman's short jacket or close-fitting cardigan
Word Origin
C14: of uncertain origin
Word Origin and History for shrug off

shrug

v.

c.1400, schurgyng, of uncertain origin. Perhaps connected to Danish skrugge "to stoop, crouch." Related: Shrugged; shrugging. To shrug (something) off "dismiss" is recorded from 1909.

n.

a shoulder motion meant to express indifference, want of an answer, etc., 1590s, from shrug (v.).

Idioms and Phrases with shrug off

shrug off

.
Minimize the importance of, as in That nasty review didn't bother him at all; he just shrugged it off. [ Early 1900s ]
.
Get rid of, as in She managed to shrug off her drowsiness and keep driving. [ Mid-1900s ]
.
Wriggle out of a garment, as in He shrugged off his coat. [ First half of 1900s ]