knock something into shape

knock something into shape
knock/lick (something/someone) into shape to improve the condition of something or the condition or behaviour of someone.

The prime minister's main aim is to knock the economy into shape.

Little Sean is a bit wild but the teachers'll soon lick him into shape when he starts school.


New idioms dictionary. 2014.

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  • knock something into shape — lick/knock/whip/ someone/something/into shape phrase to improve the condition or performance of someone or something I’m going to whip this department into shape. Thesaurus: to make something better …   Useful english dictionary

  • knock someone into shape — lick/knock/whip/ someone/something/into shape phrase to improve the condition or performance of someone or something I’m going to whip this department into shape. Thesaurus: to make something better …   Useful english dictionary

  • knock someone into shape — knock/lick (something/someone) into shape to improve the condition of something or the condition or behaviour of someone. The prime minister s main aim is to knock the economy into shape. Little Sean is a bit wild but the teachers ll soon lick… …   New idioms dictionary

  • knock sb into shape — knock sth/sb into shape INFORMAL ► to take action to get something or someone into good condition: »His arrival on the board has finally knocked the company into shape. Main Entry: ↑knock …   Financial and business terms

  • knock sth into shape — knock sth/sb into shape INFORMAL ► to take action to get something or someone into good condition: »His arrival on the board has finally knocked the company into shape. Main Entry: ↑knock …   Financial and business terms

  • lick something into shape — lick/knock/whip/ someone/something/into shape phrase to improve the condition or performance of someone or something I’m going to whip this department into shape. Thesaurus: to make something better …   Useful english dictionary

  • whip something into shape — lick/knock/whip/ someone/something/into shape phrase to improve the condition or performance of someone or something I’m going to whip this department into shape. Thesaurus: to make something better …   Useful english dictionary

  • lick something into shape — knock/lick (something/someone) into shape to improve the condition of something or the condition or behaviour of someone. The prime minister s main aim is to knock the economy into shape. Little Sean is a bit wild but the teachers ll soon lick… …   New idioms dictionary

  • whip someone/something into shape — whip (or knock or lick) someone/something into shape act forcefully to bring someone or something into a fitter, more efficient, or better organized state a man who whips a chamber orchestra into shape …   Useful english dictionary

  • get something into shape — get/knock/lick sth into ˈshape idiom to make sth more acceptable, organized or successful • I ve got all the information together but it still needs knocking into shape. • It shouldn t take long to get the company back into shape. Main entry:… …   Useful english dictionary

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