- shake|out
- shake|out «SHAYK OWT», noun. Informal.1. a) a recession in a particular type of business, industry, trade, or other area of the economy, especially when accompanied by a disappearance of small competitor, marginal enterprises, and the like: »
A shakeout already is under way that will end with six or eight producers dominating the field (Wall Street Journal). So far, unemployment hasn't approached the level of the last business shakeout (Wall Street Journal).
b) a similar decline in the stock market, resulting in widespread sellout of securities: »The stock market last week saw its sharpest shakeout since May (Time).
2. a drastic reorganization, as of policy or personnel, usually resulting in the dismissal of some employees; shakeup: »... a possible shakeout of leading personalities associated with the succession (Birmingham Post-Herald).
3. a) the act of shaking something out. b) the act of removing water from a canoe by rocking it.
Useful english dictionary. 2012.