shape up

1. To develop, take form, or become structured. The project is shaping up nicely—we should be done by the end of the year. His plans for a career after college were beginning to shape up.

2. To reform or improve one's actions or behavior. You're on thin ice! If you don't shape up immediately, we're going to have to expel you. I know I haven't been the best father in the world, but I'm trying to shape up.

See also: shape, up

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

shape someone up

to get someone into good physical shape; to make someone behave or perform better. I've got to shape myself up to improve my health. The trainer was told that he'd have to shape up the boxer before the fight.

See also: shape, up

shape up

1. to improve; to reform. I want to get things shaped up around here. I guess I'd better shape up if I want to stay in school.

2. to assume a final form or structure. The game plan for the election was beginning to shape up. Her objectives began to shape up in her senior year.

See also: shape, up

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

shape up

1. Turn out, develop; see take shape.

2. Improve so as to meet a standard, as in The coach told the team that they'd better shape up or they'd be at the bottom of the league . This usage was first recorded in 1938.

3. shape up or ship out Behave yourself or be forced to leave, as in The new supervisor told Tom he'd have to shape up or ship out. This expression originated in the 1940s, during World War II, as a threat that if one didn't behave in an appropriate military manner one would be sent overseas to a combat zone. After the war it was transferred to other situations calling for improved performance.

See also: shape, up

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

shape up

1. To develop: This football game could shape up to be the most exciting game in years.

2. To improve one's behavior or actions so as to meet a standard: If you don't shape up, you're going to be in a lot of trouble.

See also: shape, up

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.

shape up

1. in. to improve; to reform. I guess I’d better shape up if I want to stay in school.

2. in. to assume a final form or structure. The game plan for the election was beginning to shape up.

See also: shape, up

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

See also:

well done
the least said, the better
the less/least said, the better
less said , the better
the less said, the better
coalesce
coalesce into
coalesce into (something)
evolve from (something) into (something)
evolve out of (something) into (something)

References in periodicals archive

The New Jersey-based manufacturer of Luigi's, Mama Tish's, Shape Ups, Minute Maid and Barq's and Chill frozen juice bars and ices, Whole Fruit sorbet, and Fruit-A-Freeze frozen fruit bars has announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $.0925 per share of its common stock payable on January 3, 2008 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 14, 2007.

Times may be hard, but J & J Snack Foods Corp. is doing okay

J & J's principal products include Superpretzel, Pretzel Fillders, and other soft pretzels; Icee and Arctic Blast frozen beverages; Luigi's, Mama Tish's, Shape Ups, and other frozen juice bars and ices, Tio Pepe's churros, The Funnel Cake Factory funnel cakes; and several cookie brands.

J & J Snack Foods Acquires Whole Fruit Sorbet and Fruit-A-Freeze Frozen Fruit Bar Brands

词组	shape up
释义	shape up shape up 1. To develop, take form, or become structured. The project is shaping up nicely—we should be done by the end of the year. His plans for a career after college were beginning to shape up. 2. To reform or improve one's actions or behavior. You're on thin ice! If you don't shape up immediately, we're going to have to expel you. I know I haven't been the best father in the world, but I'm trying to shape up. See also: shape, up Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. shape someone up to get someone into good physical shape; to make someone behave or perform better. I've got to shape myself up to improve my health. The trainer was told that he'd have to shape up the boxer before the fight. See also: shape, up shape up 1. to improve; to reform. I want to get things shaped up around here. I guess I'd better shape up if I want to stay in school. 2. to assume a final form or structure. The game plan for the election was beginning to shape up. Her objectives began to shape up in her senior year. See also: shape, up McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. shape up 1. Turn out, develop; see take shape. 2. Improve so as to meet a standard, as in The coach told the team that they'd better shape up or they'd be at the bottom of the league . This usage was first recorded in 1938. 3. shape up or ship out Behave yourself or be forced to leave, as in The new supervisor told Tom he'd have to shape up or ship out. This expression originated in the 1940s, during World War II, as a threat that if one didn't behave in an appropriate military manner one would be sent overseas to a combat zone. After the war it was transferred to other situations calling for improved performance. See also: shape, up The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. shape up v. 1. To develop: This football game could shape up to be the most exciting game in years. 2. To improve one's behavior or actions so as to meet a standard: If you don't shape up, you're going to be in a lot of trouble. See also: shape, up The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs. shape up 1. in. to improve; to reform. I guess I’d better shape up if I want to stay in school. 2. in. to assume a final form or structure. The game plan for the election was beginning to shape up. See also: shape, up McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions See also: well done the least said, the better the less/least said, the better less said , the better the less said, the better coalesce coalesce into coalesce into (something) evolve from (something) into (something) evolve out of (something) into (something) References in periodicals archive The New Jersey-based manufacturer of Luigi's, Mama Tish's, Shape Ups, Minute Maid and Barq's and Chill frozen juice bars and ices, Whole Fruit sorbet, and Fruit-A-Freeze frozen fruit bars has announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $.0925 per share of its common stock payable on January 3, 2008 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on December 14, 2007. Times may be hard, but J & J Snack Foods Corp. is doing okay J & J's principal products include Superpretzel, Pretzel Fillders, and other soft pretzels; Icee and Arctic Blast frozen beverages; Luigi's, Mama Tish's, Shape Ups, and other frozen juice bars and ices, Tio Pepe's churros, The Funnel Cake Factory funnel cakes; and several cookie brands. J & J Snack Foods Acquires Whole Fruit Sorbet and Fruit-A-Freeze Frozen Fruit Bar Brands
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