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.
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
lick something into shape — AND whip something into shape tv. to put something into good condition, possibly with considerable effort. □ I’ve got about two days more to lick this place into shape so I can sell it. □ I want to whip this house into shape for Saturday night … Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions
lick 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
lick 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
whip something into shape — Go to lick something into shape … Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions
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
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
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… … New idioms 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
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
