lick (someone or something) into shape

lick (someone or something) into shape

To return someone or something into acceptable condition or behavior, especially through direct, efficient, and practical means. The president won the election on his promise to lick the economy into shape by overhauling outdated or inefficient legislation. What he really needs is a mentor who will lick him into shape.

See also: lick, shape

lick someone or something into shape

to press or force someone or something into good shape or condition. The drama coach will try to lick her into shape by performance time. Please try to lick this report into shape by tomorrow morning.

See also: lick, shape

lick something into shape

 and whip something into shape

Fig. 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.

See also: lick, 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.

See also: lick, shape

lick (or knock or whip) someone or something into shape

act forcefully to bring someone or something into a fitter, more efficient, or better-organized state.

This expression originally referred to the belief, expressed in some early bestiaries, that bear cubs were born as formless lumps and were literally licked into shape by their mother. A bestiary was a treatise about different types of animal, popular especially in medieval times.

See also: lick, shape, someone, something

get/knock/lick somebody/something into ˈshape

make somebody/something more acceptable or organized; improve somebody/something: Do you think you can lick this company into shape?

See also: get, knock, lick, shape, somebody, something

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. Whip this manuscript into shape, then we’ll talk about publishing it.

See also: lick, shape, something

lick into shape

Informal

To bring into satisfactory condition or appearance.

See also: lick, shape