shape up or ship out

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shape up or ship out [idiom]

said to tell someone that they must improve their performance or behaviour or they will have to leave

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

shape up or ship out

ˈshape up or ship ˈout idiom
(NAmE, informal) used to tell sb that if they do not improve, work harder, etc. they will have to leave their job, position, etc.

He finally faced up to his drug problem when his band told him to shape up or ship out.

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition
 

shape up or ship out! informal

said to tell someone that they must improve their performance or behaviour or they will have to leave

 

Collins Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

shape up or ship out

said to mean that someone should start behaving in a more reasonable or responsible way, or else they should leave the place where they are or give up what they are doing

The message to every player in the team is clear – shape up or ship out.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

3 shape up or ship out 

American English spoken used to tell someone that if they do not improve, they will be made to leave a place or their job