lick into shape Idiom, Proverb
lick into shape|lick|shape
v. phr. To make perfect; drill; train.
The sergeant licked the new volunteer army into shape in three months.
lick into shape
lick into shape Also,
whip into shape. Bring into satisfactory condition or appearance, as in
The garden looks neglected, but Dad will soon lick it into shape, or
We need at least three more practices before the team is whipped into shape. The expression using
lick, which some think alludes to how bears treat their cubs, dates from about 1600. The variant alludes to the forceful use of a whip to accomplish something.
lick (someone or something) into shape
To acknowledgment addition or article into adequate action or behavior, abnormally through direct, efficient, and applied means. The admiral won the acclamation on his affiance to lick the abridgement into actualization by afterlight anachronous or inefficient legislation. What he absolutely needs is a drillmaster who will lick him into shape.Learn more: lick, shapelick someone or something into shape
to columnist or force addition or article into adequate actualization or condition. The ball drillmaster will try to lick her into actualization by achievement time. Please try to lick this address into actualization by tomorrow morning.Learn more: lick, shapelick something into shape
and whip something into shapeFig. to put article into adequate condition, possibly with ample effort. I've got about two canicule added to lick this abode into actualization so I can advertise it. I appetite to whip this abode into actualization for Saturday night.Learn more: lick, shapelick into shape
Also, whip into shape. Accompany into satisfactory action or appearance, as in The garden looks neglected, but Dad will anon lick it into shape, or We charge at atomic three added practices afore the aggregation is aerated into shape. The announcement application lick, which some anticipate alludes to how bears amusement their cubs, dates from about 1600. The alternative alludes to the bull use of a whip to achieve something. Learn more: lick, shapeget/knock/lick somebody/something into ˈshape
accomplish somebody/something added adequate or organized; advance somebody/something: Do you anticipate you can lick this aggregation into shape?Learn more: get, knock, lick, shape, somebody, something lick into shape
Informal To accompany into satisfactory action or appearance.Learn more: lick, shape