shapeup
shapeup Lexical Profile
shapeup Game Scores & Validity
• noun
American A grooming style or barbershop trim in which the hairline at the forehead, temples, and neck is cut into sharp, straight lines and crisp angles.
"He stopped by the barbershop on Friday afternoon for a quick shapeup before the wedding."
An act or program of bringing someone or something into better physical fitness, organization, or operational condition.
"The community center launched a spring shapeup to help residents build healthier exercise habits."
American A system of hiring casual laborers, especially longshoremen, in which applicants gather in a line or semicircle to be selected by a boss for the day's work.
"Before union reforms, dockworkers had to stand in the morning shapeup hoping to be chosen for a shift."
Word Nuance & Usage
The closed noun "shapeup" (or hyphenated "shape-up") should not be confused with the two-word phrasal verb "shape up", which means to improve one's behavior or physical condition.