lick something into shape

lick something into shape
lick something into shape & 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.


Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.

Игры ⚽ Нужно сделать НИР?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • lick something into shape — lick/knock/whip/ someone/something/into shape phrase to improve the condition or performance of someone or something I’m going to whip this department into shape. Thesaurus: to make something better …   Useful english dictionary

  • lick something into shape — knock/lick (something/someone) into shape to improve the condition of something or the condition or behaviour of someone. The prime minister s main aim is to knock the economy into shape. Little Sean is a bit wild but the teachers ll soon lick… …   New idioms dictionary

  • 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. □ I want to whip this house into shape for Saturday night …   Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions

  • lick someone into shape — lick/knock/whip/ someone/something/into shape phrase to improve the condition or performance of someone or something I’m going to whip this department into shape. Thesaurus: to make something better …   Useful english dictionary

  • lick someone into shape — knock/lick (something/someone) into shape to improve the condition of something or the condition or behaviour of someone. The prime minister s main aim is to knock the economy into shape. Little Sean is a bit wild but the teachers ll soon lick… …   New idioms dictionary

  • whip something into shape — Go to lick something into shape …   Dictionary of American slang and colloquial expressions

  • knock something into shape — lick/knock/whip/ someone/something/into shape phrase to improve the condition or performance of someone or something I’m going to whip this department into shape. Thesaurus: to make something better …   Useful english dictionary

  • whip something into shape — lick/knock/whip/ someone/something/into shape phrase to improve the condition or performance of someone or something I’m going to whip this department into shape. Thesaurus: to make something better …   Useful english dictionary

  • knock something into shape — knock/lick (something/someone) into shape to improve the condition of something or the condition or behaviour of someone. The prime minister s main aim is to knock the economy into shape. Little Sean is a bit wild but the teachers ll soon lick… …   New idioms dictionary

  • get something into shape — get/knock/lick sth into ˈshape idiom to make sth more acceptable, organized or successful • I ve got all the information together but it still needs knocking into shape. • It shouldn t take long to get the company back into shape. Main entry:… …   Useful english dictionary

  • whip someone/something into shape — whip (or knock or lick) someone/something into shape act forcefully to bring someone or something into a fitter, more efficient, or better organized state a man who whips a chamber orchestra into shape …   Useful english dictionary

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