Antonyms for shape up

Grammar : Verb

Spell : sheyp-uhp

Phonetic Transcription : ˈʃeɪpˌʌp

Definition of shape up

Origin : Old English scapan, past participle of scieppan "to create, form, destine" (past tense scop), from Proto-Germanic *skapjanan "create, ordain" (cf. Old Norse skapa, Danish skabe, Old Saxon scapan, Old Frisian skeppa, Middle Dutch schappen "do, treat," Old High German scaffan, German schaffen "shape, create, produce"), from PIE root *(s)kep- a base forming words meaning "to cut, scrape, hack" (see scabies), which acquired broad technical senses and in Germanic a specific sense of "to create."
Old English scieppan survived into Middle English as shippen, but shape emerged as a regular verb (with past tense shaped) by 1500s. The old past participle form shapen survives in misshapen. Middle English shepster (late 14c.) "dressmaker, female cutter-out," is literally "shape-ster," from Old English scieppan.
Meaning "to form in the mind" is from late 14c. Phrase Shape up (v.) is literally "to give form to by stiff or solid material;" attested from 1865 as "progress;" from 1938 as "reform;" shape up or ship out is attested from 1956, originally U.S. military slang, with the sense being "do right or get shipped up to active duty."

As in improve : verb make or become better
As in inculcate : verb implant, infuse information
As in arrange : verb make plans, often involving agreement
As in look up : verb improve
As in neaten : verb tidy
As in progress : verb improve, advance
As in rally : verb revive; take a turn for the better
As in rectify : verb correct a situation; make something right
As in reform : verb correct, rectify
As in regulate : verb manage, organize
As in remedy : verb fix, cure
As in right : verb fix, correct
As in systematize : verb put in order
As in tailor : verb make to fit; adjust
As in tidy : verb make neat and orderly
As in behave : verb act reasonably, properly
As in accommodate : verb make, become suitable for something
As in adapt : verb adjust to a different situation or condition
As in systemize : verb order
As in trig : verb tidy
As in comply : verb abide by, follow agreement or instructions
As in condition : verb adapt, prepare
As in conform : verb adjust, adapt
As in coordinate : verb match, relate
As in correct : verb fix, adjust
As in form : verb come into being; arise
As in groom : verb make ready, prepare physically

Example sentences :

Cut the mortises and grooves first, then shape up the sides.
Extract from : « Mission Furniture » by H. H. Windsor

Gradually, under the coaching of Brad, the team began to shape up.
Extract from : « Dan Carter and the Cub Honor » by Mildred A. Wirt

It's the first hammer I use to shape up the metal bowl with.
Extract from : « The Library of Work and Play: Working in Metals » by Charles Conrad Sleffel

Hereafter, as fast as possible, we want to shape up our holdings so as to double-winter all our beef cattle.
Extract from : « Wells Brothers » by Andy Adams

However, if we can fix it up with Agatha for you to spend the summer with her, perhaps matters will shape up better in the fall.
Extract from : « Betty Gordon at Bramble Farm » by Alice B. Emerson

But, seriously, I think we will shape up pretty well for the Boxer game.
Extract from : « The Winning Touchdown » by Lester Chadwick

Also shape up the "false" extensions of these pieces which are to be fastened below the lower frame at the corners.
Extract from : « Mission Furniture » by H. H. Windsor

I heard Joe telling Pinky the other day that youd ought to shape up well for next year.
Extract from : « The Turner Twins » by Ralph Henry Barbour

Will you stay in town and get the men together, while I go home and see mother and shape up my talk?
Extract from : « The Quickening » by Francis Lynde

His butter-ball body was elongating, and his huge feet and legs were beginning to shape up.
Extract from : « Lad: A Dog » by Albert Payson Terhune

Synonyms for shape up

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019