shape-up

or shape·up

[ sheyp-uhp ]

/ ˈʃeɪpˌʌp /

noun

an act or instance of shaping up.

a former method of hiring longshoremen in which the applicants appeared daily at the docks and a union hiring boss chose those who would be given work.

9 Synonyms For “Screwing Up”We’ve all had moments where we’ve really and truly screwed something up. An epic mistake (OK, maybe not on a historic, global scale like the February 26, 2017 Oscars). But still, we’re human, and mistakes do happen. There are a lot of words to describe things going south in a hurry. We’ve gathered a few here. You’ll notice they’re all very close in definition. Maybe …

Nearby words

shaoyang, shape, shape note, shape up, shape-note singing, shape-up, shaped, shaped charge, shapeless, shapelessly, shapely

Origin of shape-up

First recorded in 1940–45; noun use of verb phrase shape up