shape up

prendre forme, s'annoncer

Se développer d'une certaine façon ou commencer à montrer ce que quelque chose va devenir.

En anglais simple : 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?

Comment l'utiliser : 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.)

Synonymes : develop, take shape, turn out

Expressions courantes : shape up nicely, shape up well, shape up as something

se ressaisir, s'améliorer

Améliorer son travail ou son comportement, surtout après avoir mal fait les choses.

En anglais simple : 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.

Synonymes : improve, pull yourself together

Contraires : deteriorate

Expressions courantes : shape up quickly, shape up soon, shape up now

se mettre en garde, se préparer à se battre

Prendre une posture ou faire des mouvements menaçants, comme pour se battre avec quelqu'un.

En anglais simple : 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.

Comment l'utiliser : shape up to someone (He shaped up to the stranger with his fists raised.)

Synonymes : square up

Contraires : back down

Expressions courantes : shape up threateningly, shape up aggressively