Shrug /(shrŭg)/
Shrug
v. t.
imp. & p. p. Shrugged; p. pr. & vb. n. Shrugging
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To draw up or contract (the shoulders), especially by way of expressing doubt, indifference, dislike, dread, or the like.
He shrugs his shoulders when you talk of securities.
Shrug
v. i.
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To raise or draw up the shoulders, as in expressing doubt, indifference, dislike, dread, or the like.
They grin, they shrug. They bow, they snarl, they snatch, they hug.
shrug
n.
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A gesture consisting of drawing up the shoulders, -- a motion usually expressing doubt, indifference, or dislike; -- it is sometimes accompanied by a slight turning of the hands outward or upward. Such a gesture may be made, as in answering "who knows" to a question, suggesting utter ignorance of an answer and a disinclination to pursue the topic further.
On Sept. 23, in a major speech in New York, the chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commision, Arthur Levitt asked the Big Board to spike the rule [Rule 390] in the interest of free and unfettered markets. . . . Mr. Grasso responded with a shrug, saying that he had no plans to kill the rule.
The Spaniards talk in dialogues Of heads and shoulders, nods and shrugs.