shape-up
noun
\ ˈshāp-ˌəp
\
\
Definition of shape-up
(Entry 1 of 2)
: 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
verb
shaped up;
shaping up;
shapes up
Definition of shape up (Entry 2 of 2)
: to improve to a good or acceptable condition or standard of behavior
shaping up at the gym
: to bring to a good or acceptable condition or standard of behavior
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Synonyms for shape-up
Synonyms: Verb
amend, mend, reform, straighten (up or out)
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Examples of shape-up in a Sentence
Verb
angrily 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 hiredRecent Examples on the Web: Verb
However, for dedicated American fans of the show, things are shaping up to be a little different this season. — Lauren Hubbard, Town & Country, "Season 10 of the Great British Baking Show Hits Netflix This Week—With a Twist," 29 Aug. 2019 If these rumors pan out like the last ones did, the Pixel 4 is shaping up to have a rare property for a Pixel device: novel and unique hardware. — Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, "Google Pixel 4 will reportedly jump on the 90Hz display bandwagon," 8 Aug. 2019 How the rest of the line shapes up around those two could come to define the Longhorns’ season. — Nick Moyle, ExpressNews.com, "Texas Longhorns: 5 things to watch," 1 Aug. 2019 Pruning stimulates growth, so shaping up the plant should help. — Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp, Indianapolis Star, "The Hoosier Gardener: Common problems challenge gardeners," 25 July 2019 Another stadium for Inglewood Inglewood’s Prairie Avenue is shaping up to be a stadium strip. — Los Angeles Times, "Newsletter: Essential Arts: Questions of power and race after last-minute firing of a play’s director," 27 July 2019 This holiday season is shaping up to be a big one for Christmas TV movie genre, with Hallmark ordering 40 new original flicks for Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries, and Lifetime planning 28 new ones of its own. — Dan Snierson, EW.com, "ABC to air Christmas movie starring Lea Michele," 15 July 2019 The race to replace Mr. Serrano, who has served since 1990, is shaping up to be a referendum on whether the Bronx is ready to elect a younger progressive politician. — Jeffery C. Mays, New York Times, "He’s Gay. His Main Opponent Makes Homophobic Remarks.," 15 July 2019 This is shaping up to be one of the toughest drafts to predict in recent memory, due in large part to the prospect of potential deals. — Jeremy Woo, SI.com, "2019 NBA Mock Draft 12.0: Trade Rumors and Final Projections," 20 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'shape-up.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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