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Glite Dictionary
to get back in shape

to get back in shape

5 2.7
To become fit again after not exercising or being unwell
  • phrasal verb
: ponerse en forma
  • After taking some time off, I need to get back in shape for the upcoming marathon.
  • get back in shape after the baby
  • time to get back in shape
  • need to get back in shape

I've got a friend who's just said, listen, at your age, you know, to get back in shape, just get movement, just get moving, you know?

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Examples

  • She took up swimming and running to get back in shape after he was six months old or so.

    Fiction book (1991)

  • You're trying to get back in shape.

    Little Children (2006)

  • We all have to get back in shape, hmm?

    Creature (1985)

  • I got to get back in shape.

    The Black Dahlia (2006)

  • Oh yes, now it's time to get off my ass and get back in shape.

    Blog text (25)

  • " I'm supposed to be walking these days to get back in shape.

    Fiction book (1996)

  • I know a lot of mothers have trouble getting back in shape, and I was just wondering what some of your tips are.

    Blog text (29)

  • I asked Watkins how long it took to get back in shape.

    Academic text (2015)

  • Last week was my husband's birthday, and when I asked him what he wanted for his birthday (we're not into surprises), he told me, "I want you to get back in shape."

    Blog text (26)

  • We have a child together and I've worked really hard to, you know, get back in shape and spice things up and I've been doing a really good job on my end.

    Theo Von

Synonyms

to recover
vsto get back in shape
865 2.5

Get back to a normal state after a loss, for example health or money

is focused specifically on regaining fitness after inactivity
to bounce back
vsto get back in shape
74 3.5

Get better quickly after an illness, problem, or setback

focuses on rebuilding physical condition over time rather than quick return
to recuperate
vsto get back in shape
31 6.3

To get better after being ill, injured, or very tired

focuses on returning to good physical condition after inactivity
to shape up
vsto get back in shape
  • Informal
24 4.0

Start to behave and work better after a time of not trying

is about returning to good physical condition rather than general improvement
to rebound
vsto get back in shape
23 4.3

To get back to normal after a problem

is about regaining physical condition rather than only fast recovery
to return to form
vsto get back in shape
5 4.6

Get back to a previous good level of ability after a time of decline

is used for regaining physical condition rather than skill or performance

How Fit

to get back in shape
5 2.7

Surface Forms

get back in shape infinitive
getting back in shape present participle
gets back in shape third person singular
got back in shape past
got back in shape past participle

Morphology

get + back + in + shape

The meaning is directly compositional: 'get back' conveys returning and 'in shape' denotes physical fitness, so together they mean 'return to a good level of fitness.' This is a common, transparent collocation built from frequent words and follows ordinary composition patterns, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents should understand it.

Etymology

Get back in shape paints a simple picture: get back means 'return' and in shape means having a fit body. Imagine someone who was once fit, then stopped exercising and now works to return to that old body shape, so the phrase means 'to become fit again'.