shapes up
Starts coming together
Shapes up means to develop or progress in a particular direction, often toward improvement or a final form.
The project is shaping up nicely.
When directed at someone, it carries an implied warning to improve behavior or performance: Shape up or ship out.
The phrase can also mean to prepare physically, as when an athlete shapes up for competition.
If something shapes up to be a certain way, it appears likely to turn out that way: This shapes up to be the hottest summer on record.
Strengthening muscles gradually
- conditioningLearned behavioral adaptation
- gymExercise facility
- workoutStructured physical exercise
- exerciseActivity for fitness
regimen · strength · endurance · training · drill · practice · coaching · flexibility
Creation or arrangement
- evolutionSpecies changing over generations
- maturationProcess of becoming complete
- emergenceComing into existence
- unfoldingGradually becoming apparent
crystallizing · coalescing · materializing · solidifying · coming together · brewing · building · gestating
Positive change in quality
- advancementForward movement or promotion
- headwayForward progress achieved
- momentumProduct of mass, velocity
- breakthroughSudden important advance
turnaround · upturn · upswing · trajectory · coming along · getting better · moving forward · on track
Transitioning to commitment
- buckling downApplying oneself with determination
- reformImprove by correcting faults
- correctionFixing of mistakes
- structureArrangement of interconnected parts
routine · self-improvement · attitude adjustment · turning around · cleaning up · compliance · falling in line · conforming
Recovery from injury/addiction
- healingRestoration of health
- recuperationGradual return to health
- convalescencePost-illness healing phase
- restorationReturning something to condition
mending · rebound · comeback · revival · resurgence · therapy · treatment · renewal
toning
Strengthening muscles gradually
- conditioningLearned behavioral adaptation
- gymExercise facility
- workoutStructured physical exercise
exercise · regimen · strength · endurance · training · drill · practice · coaching · flexibility · agility
formation
Creation or arrangement
- evolutionSpecies changing over generations
- maturationProcess of becoming complete
- emergenceComing into existence
unfolding · crystallizing · coalescing · materializing · solidifying · coming together · brewing · building · gestating · incubating
improvement
Positive change in quality
- advancementForward movement or promotion
- headwayForward progress achieved
- momentumProduct of mass, velocity
breakthrough · turnaround · upturn · upswing · trajectory · coming along · getting better · moving forward · on track · promising
getting serious
Transitioning to commitment
- buckling downApplying oneself with determination
- reformImprove by correcting faults
- correctionFixing of mistakes
structure · routine · self-improvement · attitude adjustment · turning around · cleaning up · compliance · falling in line · conforming · toeing the line
rehabilitation
Recovery from injury/addiction
- healingRestoration of health
- recuperationGradual return to health
- convalescencePost-illness healing phase
restoration · mending · rebound · comeback · revival · resurgence · therapy · treatment · renewal · rejuvenation
shapes upfalls apart
Breaks into components
breaks down · deteriorates · declines · regresses · goes downhill
shapes upfalls apart
Breaks into components
breaks down · disintegrates · collapses · unravels · crumbles
shapes upslacks off
Reduces effort deliberately
falls off the wagon · acts up · misbehaves · spirals · backslides
shape, shapes, shaped, shaping, shapely, shapeless, shapelessly, shapelessness, misshapen