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.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lick into shape

"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 George Augustus Sala

Here's another of the fools of a family made a present of to the country—another cub for me to lick into shape.

From Peter Simple; and, The Three Cutters, Vol. 1-2 by Frederick Marryat

“Rather an awkward cub to lick into shape, my nephew, eh?”

From The Haute Noblesse A Novel by George Manville Fenn

"Weird birds," soliloquized Mostyn; "but perhaps they'll lick into shape."

From The Wireless Officer by Percy F. (Percy Francis) Westerman

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

From The Rules of the Game by Stewart Edward White

Related Words

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