licking into shape
Molding through effort
To lick something into shape is to bring it from a rough or disorganized state to proper form through effort and discipline: The new manager licked the department into shape within six months.
The phrase comes from the old belief that bear cubs are born formless and literally licked into shape by their mothers.
It often implies firm correction or training: The drill sergeant will lick these recruits into shape.
- honingGradual sharpening or refining
- perfectingMaking something ideal
- polishingSmoothing by friction
- structuringImposing systematic order
- cultivatingDeliberately developing or tending
molding · upgrading · pulling together · refining · enhancing · hammering out · organizing · brushing up · fine-tuning · training · grooming · optimizing · adjusting · drilling · arranging · systematizing · streamlining · aligning
licking into shapeneglecting
Failing to attend to
washing one's hands of · abandoning · ignoring · disregarding · letting slide
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