shake a leg

Pick up pace

Shake a leg means hurry up or get moving: Shake a leg, we're going to be late!

The phrase can also mean to dance, though this sense is now old-fashioned.

Both uses evoke physical motion as a spur to action.

hurry

get moving

Command to depart

pronto · make haste · hustle · rush · hurry up · move it · snap to it · look lively · get a move on · quicken

dance

boogie

Rhythmic blues music

  • jiveSwing-era dance or bunk
  • swingSuspended recreational seat
  • tapValve controlling liquid flow

waltz · foxtrot · salsa · tango · cha-cha · samba · rumba · disco · ballroom · hip-hop

urgency

impatience

Intolerance of delay

agitated · edgy · jittery · twitchy · anxious · nervous · uneasy · time pressure · deadline · crunch time

motivation

encouragement

Support spurring continued effort

pep talk · exhortation · spurring · nudge · goading · rallying · rousing · coaxing · pushing · kick-start

Categories
Opposites
urgency/speed of action

shake a legtake your time

Proceed without urgency

dawdle · dilly-dally · drag your feet · linger · lag

activity vs inactivity

shake a legsit tight

Wait without acting

stay put · sit still · stand still · be still · hold still

Family

shake, leg, shaking, shaken, shakes, handshake, shaker, unshaken, shakeable

Familiarity
Top 50,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G