Shrugged

To raise and lower the shoulders slightly to express doubt, indifference, ignorance, or a lack of concern or knowledge. It is a non-verbal gesture commonly used in response to a question or statement when the speaker doesn't know, doesn't care, or doesn't have an opinion. This action often conveys a feeling of helplessness, uncertainty, or a casual acceptance of a situation. It's a versatile action, employed across cultures and languages, adapting easily to diverse communicative contexts, including casual conversations, formal discussions, and even negotiations. The speed and height of the shrug can vary significantly, adding subtleties of expression. The shrug can be accompanied by other body language such as rolling the eyes or pursing the lips to intensify the meaning.

Shrugged meaning with examples

• When asked about the missing documents, the manager shrugged, his raised shoulders and downturned mouth clearly indicating his complete lack of information regarding their location. He simply didn't know and wasn't concerned, leaving the investigator with a dead end. The detective sighed, knowing the investigation would now be complex, a challenge they'd face again and again.
• The young girl shrugged when her mother asked if she’d finished her homework. Her indifference towards the topic and the question gave her away, so her mom raised an eyebrow, which caused the girl to quickly start her assignment. She knew she would have to suffer the consequences for not completing it if the mother made an inquiry.
• During the heated debate on climate change, the politician shrugged when presented with a statistic, conveying he either disregarded the figures or didn't have an immediate response. The silence was then filled by the reporters, who began to make an impact on the topic. The silence and the gesture spoke volumes.
• After the customer complained about a delayed order, the employee shrugged, as if there was nothing they could do. This gesture, combined with the blank stare, suggested the employee was under stress due to the large workload. The customer was not impressed. She requested to speak with a manager.
• When the weather forecast announced a chance of rain for their outdoor event, the event organizer shrugged and continued to set up, as though the elements were irrelevant to the plans. With no contingency plans, he displayed his carelessness, with no thought for the guests or the decorations.