lick someone into shape

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 him into shape when he starts school.


New idioms dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • 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 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

  • 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 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

  • whip 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 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

  • lick into shape —    If you make an effort to put someone or something into satisfactory condition or appearance, you lick them into shape.     I ve got to lick this place into shape before my in laws arrive …   English Idioms & idiomatic 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

  • lick (or knock or whip) someone/thing into shape — act forcefully to bring someone or something into a better state. → shape …   English new terms dictionary

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