I shook the piggy bank to hear the coins.

Meaning: This sentence means that someone moved a container shaped like a pig where people save money back and forth quickly to hear the round, metallic money inside.

Choice of Words: The verb shook means to move something back and forth quickly. Piggy bank is a container shaped like a pig where people, especially children, save money. Coin is round, metallic money.

Alternative Expressions

I rattled the money box to listen to the money.

Meaning: This sentence means the same as the first sentence, but it uses different words.

Choice of Words: Rattled is another word for shook, which means to move something back and forth quickly. Money box is another name for a piggy bank. Listen means to pay attention to a sound. Money is another word for coins.

I agitated the coin container to perceive the metallic discs.

Meaning: This sentence means the same as the first two sentences, but it uses more formal words.

Choice of Words: Agitated is a more formal word for shook, which means to move something back and forth quickly. Coin container is another name for a piggy bank. Perceive means to become aware of something through the senses. Metallic discs is another name for coins.

Related Expressions