shape-up

1 of 2

noun

ˈshāp-ˌəp 

: 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

2 of 2

verb

shaped up; shaping up; shapes up

intransitive verb

: to improve to a good or acceptable condition or standard of behavior

shaping up at the gym

transitive verb

: to bring to a good or acceptable condition or standard of behavior

Synonyms of shape-up

Verb

• improve
• straighten (up or out)
• behave
• amend
• better
• clean up one's act
• reform

Examples of shape-up in a Sentence

Verb

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 hired

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

While other malls around our state and the country have closed down, our Simon Brea Mall continues to grow, thrive and offer more shopping and shape-up opportunities for Breans and folks in cities all around us. — Terri Daxon, Oc Register, 2 Apr. 2026

Verb

After decades of trying, first by her father and then her, Marine Le Pen's fourth campaign for the French presidency is already shaping up as the strongest opportunity for her nationalist, anti-immigration National Rally party to take power. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026

The looming vote on the crypto market structure bill known as the Clarity Act is shaping up as a critical test for an industry that's spent years pushing Washington for clearer rules around digital assets. — Tanaya MacHeel,talia Kaplan, CNBC, 1 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1940, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1920, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Rhymes for shape-up

• buttercup
• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup

Kids Definition

shape up

verb

(ˈ)shā-ˈpəp

: to improve to a good condition or standard

shape up and start studying