to shape sth

  • 1shape — shape1 W2S2 [ʃeıp] n ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(round/square etc)¦ 2¦(health/condition)¦ 3 knock/lick/get somebody/something into shape 4¦(character of something)¦ 5 take shape 6 in the shape of something 7 not in any shape or form 8¦(thing not seen clearly)¦… …

    Dictionary of contemporary English

  • 2shape — 1 /SeIp/ noun 1 OUTER FORM a) (C, U) the outer form of something, that you see or feel: What shape is the table round or oval? | You can recognize a tree by the shape of its leaves. | round/square etc in shape: The eyeball is almost spherical in… …

    Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • 3shape — UK US /ʃeɪp/ noun [U or S] ► the way that something is organized, or its general character or nature: the shape of sth »Technological developments have changed the shape of industry. »We need to change the whole shape of our ad campaign. ► the… …

    Financial and business terms

  • 4shape — {{Roman}}I.{{/Roman}} noun 1 physical outline ADJECTIVE ▪ basic, simple ▪ The children cut the paper into various simple shapes. ▪ overall ▪ characteristic, distinctive …

    Collocations dictionary

  • 5lick something into shape — lick/knock/whip/ someone/something/into shape phrase to improve the condition or performance of someone or something I’m going to whip this department into shape. Thesaurus: to make something better …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 6knock something into shape — lick/knock/whip/ someone/something/into shape phrase to improve the condition or performance of someone or something I’m going to whip this department into shape. Thesaurus: to make something better …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 7get something into shape — get/knock/lick sth into ˈshape idiom to make sth more acceptable, organized or successful • I ve got all the information together but it still needs knocking into shape. • It shouldn t take long to get the company back into shape. Main entry:… …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 8knock sth into shape — knock sth/sb into shape INFORMAL ► to take action to get something or someone into good condition: »His arrival on the board has finally knocked the company into shape. Main Entry: ↑knock …

    Financial and business terms

  • 9knock sth/sb into shape — INFORMAL ► to take action to get something or someone into good condition: »His arrival on the board has finally knocked the company into shape. Main Entry: ↑knock …

    Financial and business terms

  • 10knock sb into shape — knock sth/sb into shape INFORMAL ► to take action to get something or someone into good condition: »His arrival on the board has finally knocked the company into shape. Main Entry: ↑knock …

    Financial and business terms