Shawshank
Shawshank (verb) means (slang) To escape from confinement, especially through patient, secretive effort over a long time. Example: “He shawshanked his way out of the debt trap by quietly saving for years.”
How to use Shawshank
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishInternet slang inspired by the film, meaning to escape a bad situation slowly and cleverly, often unnoticed until it's done.
Very informal and mostly used online; not standard dictionary vocabulary.
Word forms
Shawshanked past tense, Shawshanks plural, Shawshanks singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He _____ his way out of the debt trap by quietly saving for years.
Etymology
From the fictional Shawshank State Penitentiary in Stephen King's novella and its 1994 film adaptation The Shawshank Redemption, in which a prisoner escapes after tunnelling out over many years.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Shawshank” mean?
The word “Shawshank” means (slang) To escape from confinement, especially through patient, secretive effort over a long time. In plain terms, internet slang inspired by the film, meaning to escape a bad situation slowly and cleverly, often unnoticed until it's done.
How do you use “Shawshank” in a sentence?
Here is “Shawshank” used in a sentence: “He shawshanked his way out of the debt trap by quietly saving for years.”
What part of speech is “Shawshank”?
“Shawshank” is a verb.
Where does the word “Shawshank” come from?
The word “Shawshank” dates back to around 1994. From the fictional Shawshank State Penitentiary in Stephen King's novella and its 1994 film adaptation The Shawshank Redemption, in which a prisoner escapes after tunnelling out over many years.