揺さぶり
ゆ
さ
ぶ
り
Meanings
1
Physical act of shaking something, often with a back-and-forth motion. Can be literal or figurative.
The book fell because of the train's shaking.
I woke up from a strong jolt.
2
shaking up; flustering; rattling
Figurative use: unsettling or disconcerting someone, often to gain an advantage or provoke a reaction.
I wasn't fazed by the opponent's attempt to rattle me.
His question was clearly meant to shake me up.
Usage patterns
- 揺さぶりに強いto be resistant to being rattled or unsettled
He was resistant to his opponent's attempts to rattle him and always stayed calm.
- 揺さぶりが効くfor a psychological tactic (of unsettling someone) to work
The early attempt to rattle him worked, drawing out his opponent's mistake.
Expressions
- 揺さぶりをかけるtry to unsettle someone; throw off balance