Citations:give one's head a shake

English citations of give one's head a shake

Verb: "(idiomatic, Canada) to reassess the common sense of one's behaviour, ideas, etc."

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• 2009, Morley Walker, "The fertile, sexy brains of Canada's literary doyennes", Winnipeg Free Press, 9 May 2009:

  Klein, who is Jewish herself, should give her head a shake. Attempting to stifle artistic expression on political grounds is always offensive to a free society.

• 2009, Joanne Chianello, "New program asks you to pass on the sodium", The Windsor Star, 20 August 2009:

  If you're thinking about topping your burger with ketchup, mustard, relish and perhaps a couple of pickle slices, you might want to "give your head a shake."

• 2010, John MacLean, "Insane double standard" (letter to the editor), Calgary Sun, 3 November 2010:

  Ducks Unlimited reported this week Alberta hunters kill approximately 125,000 ducks each year. If anyone thinks these ducks are all shot "humanely," give your head a shake.

• 2011, Roxanne Hooper, "Please, keep the wilderness wild", The Record (New Westminster, British Columbia), 19 August 2011:

  But give your head a shake, people. Stop pushing for Wi-Fi at campgrounds around B.C. The entire premise of going camping is to escape from the hustle and bustle of our busy lives.

• 2011, Neo Caines, "Transportation: Langley SkyTrain would be useless" (letter to the editor), Langley Advance, 20 September 2011:

  Letter writer Liz Craik needs to give her head a shake if she thinks that the Canada Line is useless.

• 2011, Cam Cole, "Leafs lying scandal blown out of proportion", National Post, 5 December 2011:

  Talk about focussing on the unimportant. Give your head a shake, Google.

• 2012, Jose Rodriguez, "Diaz's joint nobody's business", London Free Press (London, Ontario), 10 February 2012:

  If you want to use pro athletes as role models for your children, then you should give your head a shake.