Shape Up

Pronunciation: /ʃeɪp ʌp/

Definitions of shape up

verb to improve or make progress, especially in terms of behavior or performance

Example Sentences

A1 I need to shape up my room before the guests arrive.

A2 She told him he needed to shape up and start taking his studies more seriously.

B1 The company is struggling financially and needs to shape up in order to survive.

B2 After receiving feedback from the boss, he knew he had to shape up his performance at work.

C1 The coach warned the team that they needed to shape up if they wanted to win the championship.

C2 The CEO made it clear that the company needed to shape up or face the consequences of bankruptcy.

Examples of shape up in a Sentence

formal It is important for employees to shape up and meet the company's standards.

informal Hey, you need to shape up if you want to keep your job.

slang Dude, you really need to shape up or you're gonna get fired.

figurative If you want to succeed in life, you need to shape up and take control of your actions.

Grammatical Forms of shape up

• past tense: shaped up
• plural: shape ups
• comparative: more shaped up
• superlative: most shaped up
• present tense: shape up
• future tense: will shape up
• perfect tense: have shaped up
• continuous tense: is shaping up
• singular: shapes up
• positive degree: well-shaped up
• infinitive: to shape up
• gerund: shaping up
• participle: shaped up

Origin and Evolution of shape up

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: English

Story behind the word: The phrase 'shape up' originated from nautical terminology, where sailors would be instructed to 'shape up' the sails or rigging to ensure the ship was properly maintained and sailing efficiently.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the phrase 'shape up' evolved to mean to improve or get better in behavior or performance, often used in a more figurative sense outside of nautical contexts.