Shape-up (Noun)
Meaning
A way of hiring longshoremen by the day; applicants gather around a union boss who selects those to be hired.
Classification
Nouns denoting acts or actions.
Examples
- Longshoremen gathered around the union boss, waiting for the daily shape-up to determine who would get work.
- The union had always used the shape-up system, despite complaints that it was unfair and open to favoritism.
- As a new worker, I had to be at the shape-up early if I wanted a chance at getting hired for the day.
- After the shape-up, the selected workers headed to the docks to start their day, while the others went home unemployed.
- Critics argued that the shape-up system led to nepotism and favoritism, as the union boss often chose workers based on personal relationships rather than skills.