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out of shape — not in good physical condition; lacking fitness or proper form

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: not in good physical condition; lacking fitness or proper form

Pronunciation (IPA): /aʊt əv ʃeɪp/

Example Sentences

  • I'm so out of shape that I get winded walking up the stairs to my apartment.
  • The company's fitness program helps employees who are out of shape get back into good physical condition.
  • After years of office work, he realized he was terribly out of shape when he couldn't keep up with his 5-year-old nephew.

out of shape

ADJECTIVE

[/aʊt əv ʃeɪp/]

not in good physical condition; lacking fitness or proper form

an overweight person in workout clothes struggles to jog slowly along a park trail, breathing heavily with sweat dripping down their face. Their friend jogs easily beside them, looking concerned and supportive. The struggling jogger clutches their side and appears completely winded after just a short distance. Meanwhile, other fit joggers pass by effortlessly in the background. A park bench sits nearby where the exhausted person clearly needs to rest. The friend reaches out to offer encouragement and support.  someone who is not in good physical condition and lacking fitness
💡 Concept

an overweight person in workout clothes struggles to jog slowly along a park trail, breathing heavily with sweat dripping down their face. Their friend jogs easily beside them, looking concerned and supportive. The struggling jogger clutches their side and appears completely winded after just a short distance. Meanwhile, other fit joggers pass by effortlessly in the background. A park bench sits nearby where the exhausted person clearly needs to rest. The friend reaches out to offer encouragement and support. someone who is not in good physical condition and lacking fitness

Bound by tape, he dreams to escape being out of shape!
🎵 Rhyme

Bound by tape, he dreams to escape being out of shape!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/aʊt əv ʃeɪp/
🇬🇧 UK/aʊt əv ʃeɪp/

🌳Etymology

Origin

This phrase originated in early 20th-century American English, particularly among athletes describing declining physical fitness after competition seasons ended. The term 'shape' metaphorically refers to physical condition or fitness level, and 'out of' indicates departure from that desirable state.

Breakdown

out of (departed from, lacking) + shape (physical condition, fitness state). The compound describes being in poor physical form or lacking good condition.

🎵Rhyme

grape
tape
cape
escape

🔗Collocations

get out of shape
completely out of shape
badly out of shape
stay in shape
get back in shape

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“I'm so out of shape that I get winded walking up the stairs to my apartment.”

“The company's fitness program helps employees who are out of shape get back into good physical condition.”

😄 Fun example

“After years of office work, he realized he was terribly out of shape when he couldn't keep up with his 5-year-old nephew.”

📚Related Words

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