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
He crusaded against the shape-up system of hiring, in which dock workers had to compete daily for jobs, often at the price of illicit payments.
From New York Times • Jun. 26, 2015
"OK then. Come in next Monday for shape-up."
From BBC • Sep. 27, 2014
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
![]()
From Roget's 21st Century Thesaurus, Third Edition Copyright © 2013 by the Philip Lief Group.