shrug off

present singular third person shrugs off · participle present shrugging off · participle past shrugged off · past shrugged off

1. transitiveTo ignore or disregard; to be indifferent to.

   He shrugged off the insults and proceeded despite them.

   2 more examples

   Manchester United shrugged off injuries to Phil Jones and Ashley Young to thrash a lifeless Fulham side.

   2011 December 21, Tom Rostance, “Fulham 0 - 5 Man Utd”, in BBC Sport

   "I... don't understand." "I assume he doesn't, either, and were you anyone else, he would shrug it off. He, however, is your father. His default response is protective concern, and he doesn't understand why you transform. Lacking understanding, he is burdened by questions."

   2021 November 12, Dan Shive, El Goonish Shive (webcomic), Comic for Friday, Nov 12, 2021

2. To dispose of, rid oneself of, in a careless or effortless manner.

   He's shrugged off his gang days and gotten into a decent school.

   2021 July 23, Andrea Martin, Another Man's Wife, Andrea Martin

   2 more examples

   Other social groups that had attained a comparable level of economic prosperity had comfortably shrugged off a wide definition of self-interest that encompassed other people and other groups. Jews, on the other hand, retained this broader perspective.

   1987 December 27, Gordon Gottlieb, “Coming Home As Lesbian And Gay Jews”, in Gay Community News, volume 15, number 24, page 16

   The United States shot back as second row Erica Jarrell-Searcy shrugged off Breach in midfield and showed superb pace to scamper in.

   2025 August 22, Mike Henson, “England open World Cup with 11-try win over USA”, in BBC Sport

   Synonyms: misregard, take no notice of, tune out