Meaning of Shape Up (Phrasal Verb)
1. improve or meet a higher standard of performance
Sentences Examples
“You need to shape up and pull your weight around here.”
“You’re a good player but your attitude stinks,” said the coach. “It’s time you shape up and become a team player.”
“Shape up, man. You’re a slacker. Do you want to be a slacker for the rest of your life? — Back to the Future (1985)
“All you new-meats, you’re going to have to shape up fast and hard for this gang. We got rules here.” — Cool Hand Luke (1967)
2. improve one’s physical fitness
Sentence Examples
“I just signed up for a new gym membership. I feel like I need to shape up and get rid of this spare tire.”
“Lester. I didn’t know you ran.” “I just started.” “Good for you.” “I figured you guys might be able to give me some pointers. I need to shape up, fast.” — American Beauty (1999)
3. used with ‘to be’ or ‘as’ to refer to something that will develop in a certain way; become apparent or be seen better in the future, similar to ‘turn out’
Sentence Examples
“This is shaping up to be our best year yet.”
“Abortion rights are shaping up as the number one concern in the upcoming election.”
“And with an attitude like that, I’m afraid you’re shaping up to be a pretty pathetic king, indeed.”
“Good morning, DC! It’s shaping up to be a beautiful Fourth of July weekend.” — (radio DJ) Live Free or Die Hard (2007)
“Now, this isn’t Creem magazine. This is Rolling Stone. We need this story in four days. Now I wanna know how it’s shaping up.” — Almost Famous (2000)
4. To cause something to take on the correct or desired shape, configuration, or condition; to return something to a usable or working condition.
Sentence Examples
“You more clay to shape up the nose and ears, if needed.”
“The table is almost finished. I just need to shape up the edges a little.”
Origin
The precise origin is unknown but the fourth meaning, above, is probably the original, seen since the 1800s.
