shake off

Verb

shake off (third-person singular simple present shakes off, present participle shaking off, simple past shook off, past participle shaken off)

1. To remove (something attached to, on or clinging to an object) by shaking.

   The archaeologists shook off the dust that had fallen from the roof, and promptly continued their work.

2. To dissociate oneself from (an allegation or rumour).
   • 2010 March 20, “Police say Australian arrested for child sex in Cambodia”, in The Australian‎:

     Dozens of foreigners have been jailed for child sex crimes or deported to face trial in their home countries since Cambodia launched an anti-pedophilia push in 2003, to try to shake off its reputation as a haven for sex predators.

   • 2022 November 30, Nick Brodrick, “Pride and innovation shine at St Pancras”, in RAIL, number 971, page 69:

     The 21st century's spectacular reimagined transport hub "set out to shake off the old image of stations. I think it's successfully done that, and it's great that others are following suit," Spinks continues.

3. To lose someone who is tracking you.

   The police are chasing us! Quick, turn into that side street! We've got to shake them off.

4. To rid oneself of a malady or its symptoms

   I just can't shake off this cold.