v. To draw up or contract (the shoulders), especially by way of expressing doubt, indifference, dislike, dread, or the like.verb-intransitive. To raise or draw up the shoulders, as in expressing doubt, indifference, dislike, dread, or the like.n. A gesture consisting of drawing up the shoulders, -- a motion usually expressing doubt, indifference, or dislike; -- it is sometimes accompanied by a slight turning of the hands outward or upward. Such a gesture may be made, as in answering "who knows" to a question, suggesting utter ignorance of an answer and a disinclination to pursue the topic further.