shake up verb4 •To agitate by shaking.If you shake up a can of cola and then open it, you get an explosion. •(informal) To upset or distress (a person).Seeing the car accident really shook her up. •(informal) To reorganize, to make reforms in.The new boss is going to shake things up, so be aware. •To restore to its original shape by shaking. formsshook up · shaken up · shaking up · shakes up