'Shuǎi shǒu' literally means 'to shake (or swing) one's hand' — combining 甩 (shuǎi), meaning 'to fling, swing, or discard', and 手 (shǒu), meaning 'hand'. While it can describe a physical motion like shaking off water or dust, it most commonly conveys a gesture of refusal, dismissal, or emotional withdrawal — as if physically shaking away responsibility, help, or involvement.

This phrase often appears in interpersonal contexts: rejecting an offer, walking away from a difficult situation, or refusing to take part in something. It carries a slightly informal, sometimes brusque or defiant tone, and is frequently used in spoken Mandarin. The action implies finality — not just pausing, but decisively cutting ties or declining engagement. It’s also idiomatic in expressions like 甩手不管 (shuǎi shǒu bù guǎn), meaning 'to wash one’s hands of something'.