shape-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈshāp-ˌəp 

: a system of hiring workers and especially longshoremen by the day or shift by having applicants gather for each day's selection

also : an instance of such hiring practice

shape up

2 of 2

verb

shaped up; shaping up; shapes up

intransitive verb

: to improve to a good or acceptable condition or standard of behavior

shaping up at the gym

transitive verb

: to bring to a good or acceptable condition or standard of behavior

Synonyms

Verb

• amend
• mend
• reform
• straighten (up or out)

Examples of shape-up in a Sentence

Verb

told his son that if he didn't shape up, he'd be grounded for a month

this group of summer interns is shaping up to be one of the best we've ever hired

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut Is there anything more powerful than a fresh shape-up? —A. Rochaun Meadows-Fernandez, Parents, 7 Dec. 2023

Verb

Data theft and ransomware attacks against health care and critical third-party providers are still happening at an alarmingly high rate in 2024, which is shaping up to be as severe as last year, the worst on record for health care breaches. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 7 Nov. 2024

With Election Day on Tuesday, Harris' rallies in the crucial swing state mark her campaign's final effort to win over voters in what is shaping up to be one of the closest presidential races in U.S. history. —David Faris, Newsweek, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1940, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1920, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

shape up

verb

(ˈ)shā-ˈpəp

: to improve to a good condition or standard

shape up and start studying