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shuffle off

 - 3 dictionary results

shuf⋅fle

  [shuhf-uhl] verb, -fled, -fling, noun
Use shuffle off in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to walk without lifting the feet or with clumsy steps and a shambling gait.
2. to scrape the feet over the floor in dancing.
3. to move clumsily (usually fol. by into): to shuffle into one's clothes.
4. to act underhandedly or evasively with respect to a stated situation (often fol. by in, into, or out of): to shuffle out of one's responsibilities.
5. to intermix so as to change the relative positions of cards in a pack.
–verb (used with object)
6. to move (one's feet) along the ground or floor without lifting them.
7. to perform (a dance) with such movements.
8. to move (an object or objects) this way and that.
9. to put, thrust, or bring trickily, evasively, or haphazardly (usually fol. by in, into, out, etc.): to shuffle one's way into favor.
10. to mix (cards in a pack) so as to change the relative positions.
11. to jumble together, mix, or interchange the positions of (objects).
–noun
12. a scraping movement; dragging gait.
13. an evasive trick; evasion.
14. an act or instance of shuffling.
15. Cards.
a. a shuffling of cards in a pack.
b. the right or turn to shuffle preparatory to dealing: You win the shuffle.
16. a dance in which the feet are shuffled along the floor.
—Verb phrase
17. shuffle off,
a. to thrust aside; get rid of.
b. to move away by, or as if by, shuffling: They shuffled off to school with little enthusiasm.
Origin:
1525–35; < LG schuffeln to walk clumsily or with dragging feet, mix (cards); akin to shovel

Synonyms:
6. drag, scrape, scuff.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To shuffle off
shuf·fle   (shŭf'əl)   
v.   shuf·fled, shuf·fling, shuf·fles

v.   tr.

  1. To slide (the feet) along the floor or ground while walking.

  2. To move (something) from one place to another; transfer or shift.

  3. To put aside or under cover quickly; shunt: shuffled the bill under a pile of junk mail.

  4. To mix together; jumble.

  5. To mix together (playing cards or tiles, for example) so as to make a random order of arrangement.

v.   intr.

  1. To move with short sliding steps, without or barely lifting the feet: The crowd shuffled out of the theater.

  2. To dance casually with sliding and tapping steps.

  3. To move about from place to place; shift: shuffled around looking for work.

  4. To act in a shifty or deceitful manner; equivocate.

  5. Games To mix playing cards, tiles, or dominoes together so as to make their order random.

n.  

  1. A short sliding step or movement, or a walk characterized by such steps.

  2. A dance in which the feet slide along or move close to the floor.

  3. An evasive or deceitful action; an equivocation.

  4. A confused mixture; a jumble.

  5. Games

    1. An act of shuffling cards, dominoes, or tiles.

    2. A player's right or turn to do this.

Phrasal Verb(s):
shuffle off

  1. To get rid of; dispose of.

  2. To evade or shirk (a responsibility, for example).

  3. Informal To leave; depart.


[Middle English shovelen, probably of Middle Dutch or Middle Low German origin.]
shuf'fler n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Idioms & Phrases

shuffle off

  1. Get rid of, act evasively, as in They've tried to shuffle off public inquiries about the safety of their planes. This usage, dating from about 1600, also appears in the oftquoted shuffle off this mortal coil, from Shakespeare's Hamlet (3:1), where it means "become freed from the turmoil of life," that is, "die."

  2. Move away reluctantly, dragging one's feet, as in The prisoners shuffled off to their work detail. [Late 1500s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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