Antonyms for shape up


Grammar : Verb
Spell : sheyp-uhp
Phonetic Transcription : ˈʃeɪpˌʌp


Definition of shape up

Origin :
  • Old English scapan, past participle of scieppan "to create, form, destine" (past tense scop), from Proto-Germanic *skapjanan "create, ordain" (cf. Old Norse skapa, Danish skabe, Old Saxon scapan, Old Frisian skeppa, Middle Dutch schappen "do, treat," Old High German scaffan, German schaffen "shape, create, produce"), from PIE root *(s)kep- a base forming words meaning "to cut, scrape, hack" (see scabies), which acquired broad technical senses and in Germanic a specific sense of "to create."
  • Old English scieppan survived into Middle English as shippen, but shape emerged as a regular verb (with past tense shaped) by 1500s. The old past participle form shapen survives in misshapen. Middle English shepster (late 14c.) "dressmaker, female cutter-out," is literally "shape-ster," from Old English scieppan.
  • Meaning "to form in the mind" is from late 14c. Phrase Shape up (v.) is literally "to give form to by stiff or solid material;" attested from 1865 as "progress;" from 1938 as "reform;" shape up or ship out is attested from 1956, originally U.S. military slang, with the sense being "do right or get shipped up to active duty."
  • As in improve : verb make or become better
  • As in inculcate : verb implant, infuse information
  • As in arrange : verb make plans, often involving agreement
  • As in look up : verb improve
  • As in neaten : verb tidy
  • As in progress : verb improve, advance
  • As in rally : verb revive; take a turn for the better
  • As in rectify : verb correct a situation; make something right
  • As in reform : verb correct, rectify
  • As in regulate : verb manage, organize
  • As in remedy : verb fix, cure
  • As in right : verb fix, correct
  • As in systematize : verb put in order
  • As in tailor : verb make to fit; adjust
  • As in tidy : verb make neat and orderly
  • As in behave : verb act reasonably, properly
  • As in accommodate : verb make, become suitable for something
  • As in adapt : verb adjust to a different situation or condition
  • As in systemize : verb order
  • As in trig : verb tidy
  • As in comply : verb abide by, follow agreement or instructions
  • As in condition : verb adapt, prepare
  • As in conform : verb adjust, adapt
  • As in coordinate : verb match, relate
  • As in correct : verb fix, adjust
  • As in form : verb come into being; arise
  • As in groom : verb make ready, prepare physically
Example sentences :
  • Cut the mortises and grooves first, then shape up the sides.
  • Extract from : « Mission Furniture » by H. H. Windsor
  • Gradually, under the coaching of Brad, the team began to shape up.
  • Extract from : « Dan Carter and the Cub Honor » by Mildred A. Wirt
  • It's the first hammer I use to shape up the metal bowl with.
  • Extract from : « The Library of Work and Play: Working in Metals » by Charles Conrad Sleffel
  • Hereafter, as fast as possible, we want to shape up our holdings so as to double-winter all our beef cattle.
  • Extract from : « Wells Brothers » by Andy Adams
  • However, if we can fix it up with Agatha for you to spend the summer with her, perhaps matters will shape up better in the fall.
  • Extract from : « Betty Gordon at Bramble Farm » by Alice B. Emerson
  • But, seriously, I think we will shape up pretty well for the Boxer game.
  • Extract from : « The Winning Touchdown » by Lester Chadwick
  • Also shape up the "false" extensions of these pieces which are to be fastened below the lower frame at the corners.
  • Extract from : « Mission Furniture » by H. H. Windsor
  • I heard Joe telling Pinky the other day that youd ought to shape up well for next year.
  • Extract from : « The Turner Twins » by Ralph Henry Barbour
  • Will you stay in town and get the men together, while I go home and see mother and shape up my talk?
  • Extract from : « The Quickening » by Francis Lynde
  • His butter-ball body was elongating, and his huge feet and legs were beginning to shape up.
  • Extract from : « Lad: A Dog » by Albert Payson Terhune

Synonyms for shape up

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019