shape up or ship out
English
Pronunciation
Audio (AU) (file)
Verb
- (idiomatic) To either improve one's behavior or else be required to leave; to either improve one's performance in an activity or else withdraw from that activity completely.
- 1978 April 3, R. Z. Sheppard, "The Far Side of Friendship (review of Scott and Ernest by Matthew J. Bruccoli)," Time:
- Portions of those letters quoted by Bruccoli indicate that though Hemingway could be sympathetic, he used a lot of ink telling Fitzgerald to shape up or ship out.
- 1978 April 3, R. Z. Sheppard, "The Far Side of Friendship (review of Scott and Ernest by Matthew J. Bruccoli)," Time:
Usage notes
- Often expressed in the imperative mood, as in an ultimatum such as:
- This is your final warning! Shape up or ship out!
Translations
to either improve one's behavior or else be required to leave
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See also
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