lick into shape

Idioms  

1. Also, whip into shape. Bring into satisfactory condition or appearance, as in The garden looks neglected, but Dad will soon lick it into shape, or We need at least three more practices before the team is whipped into shape. The expression using lick, which some think alludes to how bears treat their cubs, dates from about 1600. The variant alludes to the forceful use of a whip to accomplish something.

---

Example Sentences

Rickman the poet, of course, you could not lick into shape.

From The Divine Fire by Sinclair, May

But we may say that the main thing needed is to "lick into shape" the material, and then pass it on to the sub-conscious mind in the manner spoken of a few moments ago.

From A Series of Lessons in Raja Yoga by Atkinson, William Walker

Mr. Rae, the cool, dignified, methodical, exact man of the law, struggling to lick into shape this haughty Highland chieftain, who in his heart scorned the whole silly business.

From Corporal Cameron of the North West Mounted Police; a tale of the Macleod trail by Connor, Ralph

Here was a squad to lick into shape, to fashion into a team.

From The Rules of the Game by White, Stewart Edward

"A rare lump to lick into shape, upon my word."

From The Strange Adventures of Captain Dangerous, Vol. 1 Who was a sailor, a soldier, a merchant, a spy, a slave among the moors... by Sala, George Augustus

Related Words

• construct
• coordinate
• create
• establish
• form
• formulate
• regulate
• run
• set up