shape up or ship out

to shape up. --改進你的工作或行為。後面一半to ship out---離開一個地方。

把前後兩部份合在一起to shape up or ship out就成了一個俗語,意思是: 要就改進你的工作,否則就離開這兒。美國的陸軍裏經常用這個俗語。下面這個例子是一個陸軍中士在訓斥一個二等兵。

例句-1: Jones, you are without a doubt the worst soldier in the whole company! Your uniform looks like you slept in it! Your rifle is always dirty, and you can’t follow a simple order! I’m telling you, soldier -- either shape up or ship out, you hear me! 

例句-2:  Mary, you often come late in the morning and leave early in the evening, and you are always on the phone talking to your friends. This is not acceptable here. I’m now giving you a last chance, either shape up or ship out. 

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