shape up or ship out
Perform or depart
Shape up or ship out is an ultimatum demanding someone improve their behavior or performance—or leave.
The phrase originates from military or nautical contexts, where failing to meet standards meant being sent away.
It remains common in workplaces and relationships: After three warnings, the boss told him to shape up or ship out.
- effortApplied energy toward goals
- ultimatumNon-negotiable final terms
- last chanceUltimate remaining opportunity
- final warningLast notice before action
- do or dieRequiring total commitment
sink or swim · directive · marching orders · get with the program · tough love · dismissal · termination · command · resignation · demand · responsibility · failure · eviction · consequence · exclusion · penalty · reform · repercussions
shape up or ship outgentle encouragement
Supportive, soft urging
kid gloves · coddling · mollycoddling · positive reinforcement · soft touch
shape up or ship outtake your time
Proceed without urgency
no pressure · anything goes · laissez-faire · look the other way · turn a blind eye
shape up or ship outfriendly reminder
subtle hint · soft-pedal · sugarcoat · beat around the bush · food for thought
shape, ship, shapes, shaped, shaping, shapely, shapeless, reshape, reshaped