shake down
Coerce for cash
Shake down has two main directions.
One involves shaking things loose or into place: you shake down a sleeping bag to distribute the fill, or shake down fruit from a tree.
The other involves coercion—to shake someone down is to extort money or favors from them through threats or intimidation: The cops were shaking down local businesses.
A shakedown can also be an initial test or trial period where problems get worked out: a shakedown cruise.
Coercion through damaging threats
- coerceObtain by intimidation
- threatenPromise harm or punishment
- squeezeFirm bilateral compression
- pressureForce upon contact
fleece · exploit · intimidate · strong-arm · muscle · racketeer · protection · hustle
Search by touch
- inspectStudy closely for flaws
- ransackPlunder while destroying
- rummageSearch unsystematically through clutter
- tossLight, casual throw
contraband · customs · checkpoint · cavity · strip · seizure · confiscate · evidence
Judicial examination of claims
- debugRemove software errors
- calibrateAdjust for accuracy
- maiden voyageShip's initial journey
- break-inUnlawful entry to premises
troubleshoot · prototype · beta · commissioning · sea trial · dry run · pilot · checkout
blackmail
Coercion through damaging threats
pressure · fleece · exploit · intimidate · strong-arm · muscle · racketeer · protection · hustle · bribe
frisk
Search by touch
- inspectStudy closely for flaws
- ransackPlunder while destroying
- rummageSearch unsystematically through clutter
toss · contraband · customs · checkpoint · cavity · strip · seizure · confiscate · evidence · suspicious
trial
Judicial examination of claims
- debugRemove software errors
- calibrateAdjust for accuracy
- maiden voyageShip's initial journey
break-in · troubleshoot · prototype · beta · commissioning · sea trial · dry run · pilot · checkout · inaugural
- corruptioncorruption, graft, kickbacks, bribery, bribes
- Backpackingbackpack, trail, backpacking, pack, sleeping pad
- payoffsbribe, kickback, payoff, payola, baksheesh
- underworld slangsnitch, rat out, hitman, capo, consigliere
- extortionextort, blackmail letter, ransom, protection money, protection racket
- conscon, scam, swindle, grift, hustle