shape-up — English Dictionary

Noun

1. Alternative form of shapeup (any sense) Gathering of workers to be picked for a job.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   But if he is absent at the shape-up – when the boss stevedore blows his whistle and the men line up in a semi-circle outside the pier to be picked – another man gets his place for the time being, and it may be that he will miss the ship entirely.

   At each shape-up there is a new employment.

   More examples (1)

   The attainment of status in the community is another important objective of workers, and it is obvious that the shape-up prevented longshoremen from achieving this goal.

2. Alternative form of shapeup (any sense) Activity to get someone or something back into shape.

   Examples

   Shower shape-ups have two advantages.

   All the recipes for this 6-week shape-up are tasty and nutritious.

3. Alternative form of shapeup (any sense) Hairstyle

   Examples

   I noticed my shape-ups weren't as nice as some of my friends from the city.

   Billy used to give us shape-ups to our hair. I went by his house one morning to get a shape-up, and he was shaking really bad.

Noun

1. a way of hiring longshoremen by the day; applicants gather around a union boss who selects those to be hired

   Broader terms

   employmentengagement