Shape up or ship out

Meaning

Improve behavior or leave.

Usage

Used by managers when teams must change quickly.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Nautical orders to either improve or leave the ship.

Common in mid-20th-century military and workplace speech.