Shrug

An example of shrugging

A shrug is a gesture that is performed by lifting both shoulders up, and is an indication of an individual either not knowing an answer to a question, or not caring about a result. It can also be used when someone is simply ignoring the person's question. It may be accentuated with raised eyebrows and/or an exaggerated frown. It is very common in Western culture, rather than saying "I don't know", they would simply perform a shrug. In the English-speaking world it may be accompanied by a three syllable grunt or hummed mumble mimicking the intonation of "I dunno". The shrug is relatively absent from Eastern culture.

The gesture may be accompanied by raised palms.

See also

• Indifference (emotion)
• Meh
• Shoulder shrug, a weight training exercise
• Shrug (band), a band that later became Snow Patrol
• Shrug (clothing), an article of clothing
• Shrugging can refer to throwing off a burden, including in the metaphorical sense, as in going on strike, as found in Ayn Rand's novel Atlas Shrugged