From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishshape up phrasal verb informal1 IMPROVEto improve your behaviour or work You kids had better shape up, because I’m in no mood to fool around.2 IMPROVEto make progress in a particular way Ken’s plans for the business are shaping up nicely. as Immigration is shaping up as a major issue in the campaign.shape up to be something It’s shaping up to be a pretty big party.3 shape up or ship out American English spokenIMPROVE used to tell someone that if they do not improve, they will be made to leave a place or their job → shape→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
shape as• The story is shaping up as a major event.• Immigration is shaping up as a major presidential campaign issue this year especially in California.• Somewhat surprisingly, it is again shaping up as a presidential campaign battleground.• Because for once the Grammy contest is shaping up as a real horse race.• Either way, it is shaping up as an interesting ride.• If 2001 is looking great for movies, then 2002 is shaping up as even better-particularly on the sequel front.• Bob Farner is shaping up as the misdemeanor trial of the century.• Rapidly shaping up as today's main event are the Madchester show trials. 