SHAPE UP


Meaning of SHAPE UP in English

1.

If something is shaping up , it is starting to develop or seems likely to happen.

There are also indications that a major tank battle may be shaping up for tonight...

The accident is already shaping up as a significant environmental disaster...

It’s shaping up to be a terrible winter.

PHRASAL VERB : V P , V P as n , V P to-inf , also V P into n

2.

If you ask how someone or something is shaping up , you want to know how well they are doing in a particular situation or activity.

I did have a few worries about how Hugh and I would shape up as parents...

Girls are being recruited now. I heard they are shaping up very well.

PHRASAL VERB : V P as n , V P adv

3.

If you tell someone to shape up , you are telling them to start behaving in a sensible and responsible way.

It is no use simply to tell adolescents to shape up and do something useful.

PHRASAL VERB : V P

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner's English Dictionary.      Английский словарь Коллинз COBUILD для изучающих язык на продвинутом уровне.