Shake off - NYT Crossword Clue

Introduction

Today's clue, "Shake off," is a classic example of a phrasal verb acting as a clue for a single-word synonym. These are common in crosswords and test your ability to translate everyday expressions into more formal or concise vocabulary. Let's break down how to tackle this one.

Clue Analysis

The phrase "shake off" immediately brings to mind the idea of getting rid of something unwanted. This could be literal, like a dog shaking off water, or figurative. In most contexts, it means to elude, escape from, or free oneself from something. This "something" could be a pursuer, a persistent thought, an illness, or a responsibility. The crossword answer will be a verb that encapsulates this act of avoidance or escape.

Thinking Approaches

1. Direct Synonym Association: The most straightforward path is to brainstorm synonyms for "shake off." What words mean "to get away from"? Words like elude, dodge, escape, sidestep, and avoid should come to mind. From there, you can check the letter count and any crossing letters you have filled in.

2. Scenario Building: Imagine the phrase in a sentence. "The spy had to shake off the agent following him." "I can't seem to shake off this cold." "He tried to shake off his responsibilities." In all these cases, the subject is actively trying to get away from something. This reinforces the core meaning of deliberate avoidance.

3. Consider the "V" Sound: If you have a crossing letter that is a 'V', it's a powerful hint. The "v" sound is prominent in words related to avoidance, like evade and avoid. This can quickly narrow down your list of potential synonyms.

Background Context

The answer, EVADE, comes from the Latin evadere, meaning "to escape." It's a versatile word that applies to both physical and abstract situations. One can evade capture, but one can also evade a question, evade taxes, or evade the truth. This breadth of meaning makes it a favorite for crossword constructors, as it can be clued in many different ways (e.g., "Dodge, as a question," "Sidestep," "Elude").

Conclusion

"Shake off" is a great, intuitive clue for the answer EVADE. It captures the active, deliberate nature of getting away from something undesirable. By thinking through synonyms and imagining the phrase in context, solvers can confidently arrive at this common and useful crossword entry.

Hints

1. Hint 1: To get away from something or someone.
2. Hint 2: This word often applies to avoiding a pursuer, a question, or a responsibility.
3. Hint 3: Think of dodging or eluding.
4. Hint 4: It's a synonym for 'sidestep' or 'circumvent'.