shape up

prendere forma, profilarsi

Svilupparsi in un certo modo o cominciare a mostrare come sarà qualcosa.

In inglese semplice: To develop in a particular way or begin to become something.

• Our plans are shaping up nicely.
• It shaped up to be a beautiful day.
• How is the new team shaping up?

Come si usa: shape up to be something (It's shaping up to be a busy week.); shape up as something (The event is shaping up as a major celebration.)

Sinonimi: develop, take shape, turn out

Espressioni comuni: shape up nicely, shape up well, shape up as something

darsi una regolata, migliorare

Migliorare il proprio lavoro o comportamento, soprattutto dopo aver fatto male.

In inglese semplice: To improve your work or behavior, especially after doing badly.

• You need to shape up.
• He shaped up after his teacher spoke to him.
• The boss warned us to shape up or lose our jobs.

Sinonimi: improve, pull yourself together

Contrari: deteriorate

Espressioni comuni: shape up quickly, shape up soon, shape up now

mettersi in guardia, prepararsi a combattere

Assumere una posizione o fare movimenti minacciosi, come per iniziare una lotta.

In inglese semplice: To move or stand in a threatening way, as if ready to fight someone.

• The two men began to shape up.
• He shaped up to me outside the pub.
• She walked away when he started shaping up for a fight.

Come si usa: shape up to someone (He shaped up to the stranger with his fists raised.)

Sinonimi: square up

Contrari: back down

Espressioni comuni: shape up threateningly, shape up aggressively