: 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
shaped up; shaping up; shapes up
: to improve to a good or acceptable condition or standard of behavior
shaping up at the gym
: to bring to a good or acceptable condition or standard of behavior
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
A. Rochaun Meadows-Fernandez, Parents, 7 Dec. 2023
Miriam Waldvogel, The Hill, 25 July 2025
While the 2025 edition (held between 24 - 27 September 2025) is still shaping up, a few standout vessels have already been confirmed by the organizers.
—Katia Damborsky, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shape-up
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Noun
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut Is there anything more powerful than a fresh shape-up?
—A. Rochaun Meadows-Fernandez, Parents, 7 Dec. 2023
Verb
The general election is shaping up to be a showdown between Cooper and Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley, who is running with the blessing of President Trump.
—Miriam Waldvogel, The Hill, 25 July 2025
While the 2025 edition (held between 24 - 27 September 2025) is still shaping up, a few standout vessels have already been confirmed by the organizers.
—Katia Damborsky, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for shape-up
Cite this Entry
“Shape-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shape-up. Accessed 15 Aug. 2025.
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