To shrug means to raise your shoulders briefly and then lower them, usually as a way to show you don't know something, don't care, or can't do anything about it. When your teacher asks who left the classroom door open and you shrug, you're saying “I don't know” without words. When your friend suggests going to the park and you shrug, you might mean “I don't really care either way” or “sure, why not.”

A shrug is one of those gestures that communicates volumes without saying a word. Picture someone asking you a tough question you can't answer: your shoulders go up, your hands might turn palm-up, and your face might show uncertainty. That's a classic shrug.

People shrug for different reasons. Sometimes it shows genuine confusion or not knowing. Other times it shows indifference, like when you shrug off a minor insult because it doesn't bother you. You might shrug off a small setback and keep going, meaning you don't let it slow you down.

The word can also be a noun: “He gave a shrug when asked about his plans.” A shrug rarely solves problems, but it clearly communicates when you're stumped, unbothered, or simply don't have an answer.