Meaning
Used to tell someone to hurry up or move more quickly.
Cultural Background
The phrase is deeply tied to the Royal Navy. It represents the transition from a life at sea to common English. It shows how much of the English language was built by sailors. In the 1920s and 30s, 'shake a leg' was popular slang for dancing, especially to jazz or swing music. It represented the energy of the 'Roaring Twenties.' Australians use this phrase frequently in a very laid-back, ironic way. It’s often used even when there isn't a huge rush, just to keep things moving. While still informal, it is sometimes used in 'start-up' culture to emphasize speed and 'agility.' It's part of a trend of using casual language in professional spaces.
Use with 'Let's'
To make it sound less like a bossy command, say 'Let's shake a leg.' This includes yourself in the hurry.
Not for your boss
Even if your boss is slow, avoid this phrase. It can sound like you are telling them they are lazy.
Meaning
Used to tell someone to hurry up or move more quickly.
Use with 'Let's'
To make it sound less like a bossy command, say 'Let's shake a leg.' This includes yourself in the hurry.
Not for your boss
Even if your boss is slow, avoid this phrase. It can sound like you are telling them they are lazy.
The 'Morning' Rule
This is the most natural time to use the phrase. Use it when waking people up or getting them out the door.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct idiom to complete the sentence.
The taxi is waiting outside and we are already late. ________, or we'll miss our flight!
'Shake a leg' means to hurry up. 'Break a leg' means good luck, and 'pull a leg' means to joke with someone.
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
Come on, kids! Shake ____ leg or you'll be late for school!
The idiom is fixed as 'shake a leg.' Using 'your' or 'the' changes it to a literal meaning.
Match the phrase to the most appropriate situation.
In which situation is it BEST to use 'Shake a leg'?
'Shake a leg' is informal and used for urgency among peers.
Complete the dialogue with the correct response.
Speaker A: 'I'm still choosing which shoes to wear.' Speaker B: '__________________! We have to leave in two minutes!'
'Shake a leg' fits the context of someone being slow while getting ready.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Shake vs. Break
Practice Bank
4 exercisesThe taxi is waiting outside and we are already late. ________, or we'll miss our flight!
'Shake a leg' means to hurry up. 'Break a leg' means good luck, and 'pull a leg' means to joke with someone.
Come on, kids! Shake ____ leg or you'll be late for school!
The idiom is fixed as 'shake a leg.' Using 'your' or 'the' changes it to a literal meaning.
In which situation is it BEST to use 'Shake a leg'?
'Shake a leg' is informal and used for urgency among peers.
Speaker A: 'I'm still choosing which shoes to wear.' Speaker B: '__________________! We have to leave in two minutes!'
'Shake a leg' fits the context of someone being slow while getting ready.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt can be if said with a mean tone to a stranger. With friends, it's just a casual way to say 'hurry up.'
No, that would mean you want the person to physically shake their limbs, perhaps because they have a bug on them!
'Hurry up' is more direct and neutral. 'Shake a leg' is more idiomatic and informal.
It used to! In the 1920s, it was a common way to say 'let's dance.' Today, it almost always means 'hurry up.'
Only in a very casual email to a close friend. Avoid it in professional correspondence.
It is used in both! It's a universal English idiom.
It comes from sailors having to put their legs out of their hammocks to get up for work.
You can say 'We shook a leg,' but it's much more common as a command: 'Shake a leg!'
It might sound a bit 'cheeky' or disrespectful depending on the family, but generally, it's okay in a playful way.
Try 'We should probably get going' or 'Could we move a bit faster?'
Related Phrases
Get a move on
synonymTo hurry up.
Step on it
similarTo go faster, usually in a vehicle.
Chop chop
similarHurry up.
Break a leg
contrastGood luck.
Pull someone's leg
similarTo tease or joke with someone.
