Meaning:
Behave properly or leave the organization
Examples:
- The manager gave the underperforming employee an ultimatum: shape up or ship out.
- The coach told the team they needed to shape up or ship out if they wanted to make it to the playoffs.
- After receiving several complaints about his behavior, the principal told the student to shape up or ship out.
- The drill sergeant warned the new recruits to shape up or ship out, as there was no room for slackers.
- Tired of his messy habits, she told her roommate to shape up or ship out.
- Fed up with her partner's lack of effort, she told him to shape up or ship out.
- The head of the charity reminded the volunteers that they needed to shape up or ship out if they wanted to stay on the team.
- The band leader told the guitarist to shape up or ship out after he missed several rehearsals.
- The CEO told the developers to shape up or ship out, as the company's future depended on meeting the next milestone.
- The fitness instructor told the participants to shape up or ship out if they weren't going to take the class seriously.