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Eudora Thao
2021-03-11 10:03
Shape up or ship out American Canada informal
If someone doesn't start changing their attitude, behavior, or performance in a more responsible or effective way, they should or can be forced to leave something such as a job, a relationship, and so on.
I got so fed up with my husband's gambling that I told him to shape up or ship out.
When I was late yesterday, my boss said that shape up or ship out.
He had made careless mistakes in this project, so the boss said that shape up or ship out.
To change one's behaviour and become a better person
This phrase comes from the US military in World War II when armed forces first used this command. It suggested that the sailors, soldiers or marine are warned to adapt according to the rules and regulations or rightfully perform their tasks they are supposed to, if they are to stay in the field otherwise they would be expelled or sent to back zone. Later the phrase was expanded to include all areas in which improvement and performances were demanded.
Do you see anything wrong?
