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Definitions

lick into shape

VERB
coach
Synonyms
STRONGEST
teach train tutor
STRONG
cram drill educate hone prepare ready school
WEAK
break in lay it out for pull one's coat put through the grind put through the mill
Antonyms
STRONGEST
learn
WEAK
accept listen
VERB
drill
Synonyms
STRONG
accustom exercise habituate hone instruct learn practice rehearse teach
WEAK
break in get into shape tune up walk through work out
Antonyms
STRONG
ignore misunderstand neglect
VERB
exercise
Synonyms
STRONGEST
develop exert improve prepare train work out
STRONG
break condition cultivate discipline drill fix foster groom habituate hone inure labor maneuver ply practice rehearse set strain teach work
WEAK
break in dry run limber up loosen up pump iron put out put through grind put through mill run through tune up walk through warm up
Antonyms
STRONGEST
decrease neglect
STRONG
destroy discourage forget halt idle ignore laze relax rest
WEAK
not use
VERB
groom
Synonyms
STRONGEST
comb educate prim tend
STRONG
brush clean coach curry dress drill nurture preen prep prime primp ready refine refresh sleek tidy train
WEAK
make attractive make presentable pretty up put through grind put through mill rub down shape up slick up smarten up spiff up spruce up turn out
Antonyms
STRONG
damage dirty forget mess up neglect ruin
WEAK
ignore
VERB
organize
Synonyms
STRONGEST
construct coordinate create establish form formulate regulate run set up
STRONG
adapt adjust catalogue classify codify combine compose constitute correlate dispose fashion fit frame group harmonize marshal mold pigeonhole range settle shape standardize straighten tabulate tailor
WEAK
be responsible for get going get-together line up look after methodize put in order put together see to straighten out take care of whip into shape
Antonyms
STRONGEST
break destroy ruin
STRONG
confuse differ disarrange disconnect disorder disorganize disperse disturb mix up move scatter unfit upset

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"Isn't there any one else up here not going in for it that you could lick into shape?"

From The Dark Tower by Soper, J. H. Gardner

But we may say that the main thing needed is to "lick into shape" the material, and then pass it on to the sub-conscious mind in the manner spoken of a few moments ago.

From A Series of Lessons in Raja Yoga by Atkinson, William Walker

Here’s another of the fools of a family made a present of to the country—another cub for me to lick into shape.

From Peter Simple by Marryat, Frederick

Here was a squad to lick into shape, to fashion into a team.

From The Rules of the Game by White, Stewart Edward

Of the new-comers he has got to lick into shape, Howard is the most promising candidate.

From Harper's Round Table, October 1, 1895 by Various

From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.