shape up phrasal verb informal (see also shape)

1. to improve your behaviour or work:
You kids had better shape up, because I’m in no mood to fool around.

2. to make progress in a particular way:
Ken’s plans for the business are shaping up nicely.
shape up as
Immigration is shaping up as a major issue in the campaign.
shape up to be something
It’s shaping up to be a pretty big party.

3. shape up or ship out American English spoken used to tell someone that if they do not improve, they will be made to leave a place or their job

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

shape up
1.
to develop.
The state of the economy is shaping up as a major political issue.

Everyone's waiting to see how the new football season will shape up in September.

2.
to improve your behavior or performance.
He promised me he was going to shape up and stay out of trouble.

3.
to get into better physical condition.
The astronauts shape up before a mission by working with small weights and doing exercises.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

shape up
to improve one's behavior/performance/physical shape
He has finally begun to shape up and is doing his job much better.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲

shape up
v. phr., informal
1. To begin to act or work right; get along satisfactorily.
If the new boy doesn't begin to shape up soon, he'll have to leave school.
"How is the building of the new gym coming along?" "Fine. It's shaping up very well."
2. To show promise.
Plans for our picnic are shaping up very well.

[TahlilGaran] English Idioms Dictionary ▲