shape up

Meaning

1. Oxford75% of films

   to improve your behaviour, work harder, etc.

   Why, she'd tell me to shape up or ship out.

2. Oxford25% of films

   to develop in a particular way, especially in a good way

   I figured you might be able to give me some pointers. I need to shape up. Fast.

In the movies · 8

• - How's your little mishap? - Shaping up beautifully.Sabrina1954
• I figured you might be able to give me some pointers. I need to shape up. Fast.American Beauty1999
• This is shaping up like a Noel Coward play. Somebody should go make martinis.Manhattan1979
• But the fact of the matter is, this could shape up as an epic day.The Longest Yard2005
• Why, she'd tell me to shape up or ship out.About Schmidt2002
• How is the team shaping up?Moneyball2011
• How's that bowling league shaping up this season?Bad Education2019
• This story is due in four days. How is it shaping up?Almost Famous2000

Learn it in full scenes

• Sabrina1954
  • Linus Saves Sabrina in the Garage
  • Linus Reads Sabrina's Letters
  • Sabrina's Soufflé Gives Her Away
• American Beauty1999
  • Brad Warns Lester to Save His Job
  • The Burnhams' Cold Dinner
  • Jim and Jim Welcome the Fitts
• Manhattan1979
  • The Drowning Question at Dinner
  • Isaac and Yale Talk About an Affair
  • Isaac Sends Tracy Home

From the same entry

• get into shape
• get into shape
• get into shape
• give shape to
• in any shape or form
• out of shape
• the shape of things to come
• take shape
• throw shapes
• get bent out of shape
• shape up or ship out