to shake the pagoda tree - Glite Dictionary

Examples

Sometimes it's necessary to shake the pagoda tree if you want to discover the real problems in an organization.
She didn't want to shake the pagoda tree, fearing it might upset the unofficial balance in the office.
Don't shake the pagoda tree without knowing the consequences!
The activists decided to shake the pagoda tree in the community.
Sometimes it's necessary to shake the pagoda tree if you want to discover the real problems in an organization.
When the manager started asking tough questions, he was clearly trying to shake the pagoda tree.
She didn't want to shake the pagoda tree, fearing it might upset the unofficial balance in the office.

Synonyms

to stir

vsto shake the pagoda tree

131 3.7

To make someone feel a strong emotion

is directed more toward revealing hidden matters by challenging norms

to shake up

vsto shake the pagoda tree

41 4.2

To upset someone strongly and change how they feel

aims more at forcing revelations or reactions than broad systemic disruption

to make waves

vsto shake the pagoda tree

Informal

12 4.9

To get attention or cause trouble by changing the usual way things are done

is similar but stresses revealing hidden things rather than only creating controversy

to ruffle some feathers

vsto shake the pagoda tree

Informal

9 7.2

Upset people by challenging usual views

focuses more on provoking to uncover hidden responses rather than mere annoyance

to cause a stir

vsto shake the pagoda tree

6 4.0

Make people feel excited or upset and attract attention

is more about eliciting reactions that expose hidden issues than simple attention

to raise eyebrows

vsto shake the pagoda tree

5 4.2

Make people feel surprised, shocked, or disapproving because something is unusual

aims more to force reactions that expose hidden things than to merely shock

to rattle the cage

vsto shake the pagoda tree

Informal

1 7.8

To do or say something on purpose to upset someone and see their reaction

focuses more on exposing hidden matters by challenging the established order

to flutter the dovecote

vsto shake the pagoda tree

Archaic

9.9

To cause sudden excitement or trouble in a calm group

targets uncovering or provoking responses, not only creating general commotion

to shake the plum tree

vsto shake the pagoda tree

8.7

To make ripe fruit or other things fall from a tree by moving its branches quickly

uses challenge to provoke reactions or reveal hidden information rather than extract items

Antonyms

to ignore

∞ 1.0

Choose not to pay attention to someone or something

How Provocative

to change the game

10 4.0

to shake the pagoda tree

Informal

9.9

to rock the boat

Informal

20 5.3

challenge

Formal

120 3.5

to raise

∞ 3.2

Surface Forms

shake the pagoda tree infinitive

shaking the pagoda tree present participle

shakes the pagoda tree third person singular

shook the pagoda tree past

shaken the pagoda tree past participle

Morphology

shake + the + pagoda + tree

The verb 'shake' combined with 'tree' evokes the familiar metaphor of making things fall out (i.e. revealing hidden items), so a learner might partially infer a sense of provoking or exposing. However, the inserted element 'pagoda' is low-frequency and culturally specific and does not transparently contribute to the idiomatic sense of challenging the status quo, so the full meaning is not reliably predictable for a B1 learner without exposure.

Etymology

Shake the pagoda tree may come from the simple image of someone shaking a pagoda tree so hidden fruit, nests or birds fall out into the open. So, it now means 'to provoke a reaction or reveal something hidden'.