shape up
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.
One of the substantial victories of the 1934 Bay Area strike was the replacement of the shape-up system—the informal hustle for day labor work—with a union-operated hiring hall that worked to racially integrate the workforce.
From Salon • Apr. 11, 2019
Gonzalez explained he usually gets a haircut on Thursday or Friday and a shape-up on Monday, but he recently went a week without anything.
From Washington Post • Aug. 27, 2018
There were 100 different human types to observe while waiting for a cab at shape-up.
From BBC • Oct. 4, 2014
Using the refrain “mudanzas,” or movers, they hawk their services from the cabs of their trucks or windows of their vans — a shape-up on wheels.
From New York Times • Mar. 26, 2012
I knew that I could get away with not having a fresh shape-up easier than they could get away with not chopping that Sunday dinner off the tops of their heads.
From "When I Was the Greatest" by Jason Reynolds
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From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.