- lick into shape
- Meaning
To make something work properly.OriginFrom the belief that bear cubs are born shapeless and have to be properly formed by their mother's licking.
Meaning and origin of phrases. 2013.
lick into shape
Look at other dictionaries:
lick into shape — phrasal : to give proper form to : train or drill into orderly form a civilian can be licked into shape as a soldier by the manual of arms Dixon Wecter * * * lick into shape To mould into satisfactory form, from the notion that the she bear gives … Useful english dictionary
lick into shape — ► lick (or knock) into shape act forcefully to bring into a better state. Main Entry: ↑shape … English terms dictionary
lick 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 into shape — If you make an effort to put someone or something into satisfactory condition or appearance, you lick them into shape. I ve got to lick this place into shape before my in laws arrive … English Idioms & idiomatic expressions
lick into shape — {v. phr.} To make perfect; drill; train. * /The sergeant licked the new volunteer army into shape in three months./ … Dictionary of American idioms
lick into shape — {v. phr.} To make perfect; drill; train. * /The sergeant licked the new volunteer army into shape in three months./ … Dictionary of American idioms
lick\ into\ shape — v. phr. To make perfect; drill; train. The sergeant licked the new volunteer army into shape in three months … Словарь американских идиом
To lick into shape — Lick Lick (l[i^]k), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Licked} (l[i^]kt); p. pr. & vb. n. {Licking}.] [AS. liccian; akin to OS. likk[=o]n, D. likken, OHG. lecch[=o]n, G. lecken, Goth. bi laig[=o]n, Russ. lizate, L. lingere, Gr. lei chein, Skr. lih, rih.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
lick into shape — make fit, make into proper form; shape, mold, form … English contemporary dictionary
lick into shape — phrasal to put into proper form or condition … New Collegiate Dictionary
