shape up
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Phrasal Verb: 1. To develop or progress in a particular way, especially in a satisfactory or positive manner: This meaning refers to a situation, plan, or person improving, becoming organized, or meeting expectations. 2. To improve one's behavior, performance, or physical condition: This meaning is often used as an imperative or warning, implying a need for correction or betterment.
Usage and Examples
- Describing the development of a situation or plan:
- The project is finally shaping up to be a great success.
- Our vacation plans are shaping up nicely.
- Describing personal improvement or a warning to improve:
- The new recruit needs to shape up if he wants to keep his job. (Often implies a warning.)
- I've started going to the gym to shape up for the summer.
Advanced Usage
- "Shape up or ship out": This is a common, forceful idiom meaning one must improve their behavior or performance, or else leave/be fired.
- The manager told the lazy employee it was time to shape up or ship out.
Variants and Related Words
- Shape (verb): To form or give a particular form to something.
- She shaped the clay into a vase.
- Shapely (adjective): Having an attractive shape, often used to describe the human body.
- She has a shapely figure.
Synonyms
- Progress: To move forward or develop towards a more advanced state.
- Improve: To become or make something better.
- Develop: To grow or cause to grow and become more mature or advanced.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Make up: To constitute or form. (Different meaning: to reconcile after an argument.)
- These chapters make up the first section of the book.
- Build up: To develop, increase, or strengthen gradually.
- He built up his business over many years.
Related Idioms
- In good/bad shape: In a good or bad condition.
- The company's finances are in good shape.
- After the illness, he was in bad shape.
Verb
- develop in a positive way
- He progressed well in school
- My plants are coming along
- Plans are shaping up