shakedowns
Thorough searches, slang
Shakedowns are acts of extortion—demanding money or favors through threats or intimidation.
A corrupt cop running shakedowns extracts bribes from business owners.
The word also means thorough searches, especially of prisoners or cells: Guards conducted shakedowns looking for contraband.
A shakedown cruise is a test voyage to identify problems in a new ship or aircraft before regular service.
Coercion through damaging threats
- racketUproar, scam, or paddle
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
- coercionPressured compliance through threats
protection money · payoff · corruption · threats · mafia · gangsters · mob · squeeze
Search by touch
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- contrabandProhibited trade goods
- strip searchUnclothed physical examination
- prisonConfinement for offenders
cavity search · police · guards · weapons check · confiscation · inmates · detention · jail
Preliminary test attempt
- sea trialsPre-delivery ship tests
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- debuggingError removal from programs
- checkoutPayment completion process
calibration · maiden voyage · stress test · evaluation · commissioning · dry run · troubleshooting · breaking in
Rearranging an existing framework
- overhaulComplete systematic repair
- reshuffleRearrange elements anew
- upheavalViolent disturbance of order
- consolidationCombining into unified whole
downsizing · realignment · transition · adjustment · layoffs · workforce reduction · streamlining · reordering
blackmail
Coercion through damaging threats
- racketUproar, scam, or paddle
- briberyCorrupt payment for influence
- intimidationDeliberate fear-inducing pressure
coercion · protection money · payoff · corruption · threats · mafia · gangsters · mob · squeeze · hustle
frisk
Search by touch
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- contrabandProhibited trade goods
- strip searchUnclothed physical examination
prison · cavity search · police · guards · weapons check · confiscation · inmates · detention · jail · suspects
trial run
Preliminary test attempt
- sea trialsPre-delivery ship tests
- inspectionFormal assessment of condition
- debuggingError removal from programs
checkout · calibration · maiden voyage · stress test · evaluation · commissioning · dry run · troubleshooting · breaking in · quality control
restructuring
Rearranging an existing framework
- overhaulComplete systematic repair
- reshuffleRearrange elements anew
- upheavalViolent disturbance of order
consolidation · downsizing · realignment · transition · adjustment · layoffs · workforce reduction · streamlining · reordering · regime change
- prisonsprison, inmates, cells, prisons, prisoner
- shady dealingsscams, swindles, cons, grifts, fraud
- organized crimemafia, mob, the mob, syndicate, crime syndicate
- police misconductpolice brutality, excessive force, brutality, misconduct, abuse of power
- corruptioncorruption, graft, kickbacks, bribery, bribes
- detention facilitiesjail, prison, cells, holding cell, inmates