shape up

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

shape up verb (intr, adverb)

1. to proceed or develop satisfactorily
2. to develop a definite or proper form

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

shape /ʃeɪp/   n., v., shaped, shap•ing. 
n. 

1. the appearance of an object;
   the way a person or thing looks on the outside:
   [countable] Italy has the shape of a boot when you see it on a map.
2. something seen in outline:
   [countable] A vague shape appeared through the mist.
3. condition;
   state of repair:
   [uncountable] The old house was in bad shape. She wants to exercise to get into shape (= to get into good physical condition).
4. orderly arrangement:
   [uncountable] He could give no shape to his ideas.
5. the figure or body of a person, esp. of a woman:
   [countable] The actress still has a great shape.

v. 

6. to give definite form to:
   [~ + object] to shape the ground beef into meatballs.
7. to put in words:
   [~ + object] He shaped his criticism of her very carefully so as not to offend.
8. to direct (one's course, etc.):
   [~ + object] The events of his youth shaped his whole way of thinking.
9. shape up, [no object]
   • to change, esp. favorably:
     Things are finally beginning to shape up in the economy.
   • to improve one's behavior, performance, or physical condition:
     If you don't shape up, you'll be fired.

Idioms

10. Idioms take shape, to take on a more complete form;
    become defined:
    Her ideas began to take shape and she wrote them down.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

shape-up  (shāp′up′), n. 

1. an act or instance of shaping up.
2. a former method of hiring longshoremen in which the applicants appeared daily at the docks and a union hiring boss chose those who would be given work.

Also, shape′up′. 

• noun, nominal use of verb, verbal phrase shape up 1940–45

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

shape  (shāp), n., v., shaped, shap•ing. 
n. 

1. the quality of a distinct object or body in having an external surface or outline of specific form or figure.
2. this quality as found in some individual object or body form:
   This lake has a peculiar shape.
3. something seen in outline, as in silhouette:
   A vague shape appeared through the mist.
4. an imaginary form;
   phantom.
5. an assumed appearance;
   guise:
   an angel in the shape of a woman.
6. a particular or definite organized form or expression:
   He could give no shape to his ideas.
7. proper form;
   orderly arrangement.
8. condition or state of repair:
   The old house was in bad shape. He was sick last year, but is in good shape now.
9. the collective conditions forming a way of life or mode of existence:
   What will the shape of the future be?
10. the figure, physique, or body of a person, esp. of a woman:
    A dancer can keep her shape longer than those of us who have sedentary jobs.
11. something used to give form, as a mold or a pattern.
12. Metallurgy, Building, Building Also called section. Building Trades, Metalworking. a flanged metal beam or bar of uniform section, as a channel iron, I-beam, etc.
13. Nautical, Naval Terms a ball, cone, drum, etc., used as a day signal, singly or in combinations, to designate a vessel at anchor or engaged in some particular operation.
14. take shape, to assume a fixed form;
    become definite:
    The house is beginning to take shape.

v.t. 

15. to give definite form, shape, organization, or character to;
    fashion or form.
16. to couch or express in words:
    to shape a statement.
17. to adjust;
    adapt:
    He shaped everything to suit his taste.
18. to direct (one's course, future, etc.).
19. to file the teeth of (a saw) to uniform width after jointing.
20. Animal Behavior to teach (a desired behavior) to a human or other animal by successively rewarding the actions that more and more closely approximate that behavior.
21. [Obs.] to appoint;
    decree.

v.i. 

22. to come to a desired conclusion or take place in a specified way:
    If discussions shape properly, the companies will merge.
23. shape up:
    • to assume a specific form:
      The plan is beginning to shape up.
    • to evolve or develop, esp. favorably.
    • to improve one's behavior or performance to meet a required standard.
    • to get oneself into good physical condition.
    • (of longshoremen) to get into a line or formation in order to be assigned the day's work.

• bef. 900; (noun, nominal) Middle English; Old English gesceapu (plural); replacing dialect, dialectal shap, Middle English; Old English gesceap (singular); cognate with Old Norse skap state, mood; (verb, verbal) Middle English; Old English sceapen (past participle); replacing Middle English sheppe, shippe, Old English sceppan, scyppan; cognate with German schaffen, Old Norse skepja, Gothic -skapjan to make

shap′a•ble, shape′a•ble, adj. 
Synonyms

• 1. silhouette, appearance. See form. 
• 4. specter, illusion.
• 7. order, pattern.
• 8. order, situation.
• 15. mold, model.

SHAPE  (shāp), n. 

1. Government Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers, Europe.

Also, Shape.