shape up or ship out
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.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“You must shape up or ship out if you want to keep this job.”
“The coach told the lazy players that they needed to shape up or ship out before the next big game.”
“Faced with declining productivity and repeated warnings, the manager informed the team that it was time to either shape up or ship out.”
disputed origin
WWII American military slang: perform properly or be shipped out to a combat posting or discharged.
- 01
bash into shape
Of an item, to fix or build it; often in a rough and ready fashion.
- 02
get bent out of shape
To take offense; to become angry, agitated, or upset.
- 03
in any way, shape, or form
In any way at all; whatsoever.
- 04
lick into shape
To exert considerable effort to change (someone or something) into a desired state.
- 05
one's ship comes in
One makes or comes into possession of a significant amount of money.
- 06
shape up
To improve; to correct one's bad habits or behavior.
- 07
sinking ship
Something which is doomed; an impending debacle; an ongoing disaster.
- 08
steady the ship
To bring under control.
Last updated August 10, 2026