not in good shape

USAGE SUMMARY

"not in good shape" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means that something or someone is not in good physical or mental condition. Example: "After months of neglect and poor eating habits, my health was not in good shape."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Everything seemed to be still attached, thank goodness, but I suspected that my face was not in good shape.

Huffington Post

Simenon was not in good shape, either.

The New Yorker

It was not in good shape.

The New York Times

"The building is not in good shape," he said.

The New York Times

The duck itself is not in good shape.

The New York Times - Books

The economies of Europe are not in good shape.

Independent

"He's not in good shape," the surgeon said.

The New York Times - Magazine

THE world economy is not in good shape.

The Economist

It was clearly not a production for neophytes or for those not in good shape.

The New York Times

At the moment, that important group is not in good shape.

The New York Times

The education system in many African countries is not in good shape.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a situation or entity as "not in good shape", clarify the specific aspect that is deficient, such as physical condition, financial status, or health.

Common error

Avoid using "not in good shape" without providing context. Instead of saying "the project is not in good shape", specify "the project is not in good shape due to budget constraints".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not in good shape" functions as a descriptive phrase, often working as an adjective complement. It describes the state or condition of a noun, indicating that it is deficient in some way. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a common expression in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not in good shape" is a versatile and commonly used expression to describe something or someone that is in a poor condition. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is both grammatically correct and frequently used in written English. While it is most prevalent in News & Media contexts, it also appears in science and formal business settings. When using this phrase, it is important to provide context to avoid overgeneralization and ensure clarity. For alternative expressions, consider "in poor condition" or "in bad health" depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in poor condition

Focuses more on the physical state or condition of something.

in bad health

Specifically refers to the state of someone's health.

not well

A simpler and more general way to express that someone is unwell.

under the weather

An idiomatic expression indicating mild illness or feeling unwell.

out of sorts

Suggests a temporary state of being unwell or not feeling like oneself.

failing

Implies a decline in health, strength, or effectiveness.

deteriorating

Indicates a gradual worsening of condition or health.

not up to par

Implies something or someone isn't performing as well as expected.

below standard

Focuses on not meeting a certain level of quality or performance.

subpar

A concise way of saying something is below the expected standard.

FAQs

How can I use "not in good shape" in a sentence?

You can use "not in good shape" to describe the condition of something or someone. For example: "After the accident, the car was "in poor condition"", or "He's "not well"; he's really "not in good shape"."

What's a less direct way to say "not in good shape"?

Alternatives include phrases like "under the weather" to describe someone who is mildly ill, or "out of sorts" to indicate a temporary state of being unwell.

When is it appropriate to use "not in good shape"?

It's appropriate when describing something or someone that is deteriorating, damaged, or unhealthy. The phrase is suitable for general use but may be too informal in highly formal writing.

What's the difference between "not in good shape" and ""in poor condition""?

"Not in good shape" is a more general term applicable to people, objects, or situations, whereas ""in poor condition"" usually refers to the physical state of an object. For instance, you might say "the car is "in poor condition"" or "he is "not well" and therefore "not in good shape"".