“No great shakes” means not very good or impressive. It is an informal expression used to give a fairly negative opinion of something, or to admit that you are not especially skilled at an activity.
Its exact origin is uncertain. Although explanations involving the shaking of dice are sometimes suggested, that connection is not established. It is better not to present a colourful origin story as a historical fact. The useful point for learners is the expression’s meaning in everyday English.
You can use it to describe a thing, an experience, or someone’s ability:
- “The hotel was no great shakes, but it was close to the station.” Here, the hotel was not particularly good or impressive.
- “I’m no great shakes at tennis, but I enjoy playing.” Here, the speaker admits that tennis is not a strong skill.
Notice the pattern no great shakes at + activity when talking about ability. The activity can be a noun, such as tennis, or an -ing form, such as drawing.
The expression does not necessarily mean that something is terrible or completely useless. It often means that it is ordinary, disappointing, or nothing special. When used about yourself, it can sound modest and lightly humorous. When used about another person’s work, it can sound dismissive, so consider your tone and audience.