shakedown
Translation
extortion, thorough search, test period
Examples
The gang ran a shakedown on local businesses.
The gang ran a shakedown on local businesses.
The guards performed a shakedown of the prison cells.
The guards performed a shakedown of the prison cells.
The new car is on a shakedown cruise.
The new car is on a shakedown cruise.
Grammar Patterns
a shakedown of ((sth.)) a thorough search of (a place) The guards performed a shakedown of the prison cells.
a shakedown cruise/test a test journey for a new ship or vehicle The new car is on a shakedown cruise.
Similar Words
Etymology
From the phrasal verb 'to shake down', which literally means to cause something to fall by shaking.
Memory Tips
Imagine 'shaking' someone 'down' to make money fall from their pockets (extortion), or 'shaking down' a room to find hidden items (search).