take shape—
1. become definite in form or outline:
- In a short time the bag began to distend and then the balloon took shape and form.
2. reach the necessary standard; become complete:
- As Robin’s plan took shape we could appreciate the brilliance of its simplicity.
take the shape—take the form of a particular thing:
- They [birds] are also called Boat-tails because their tail-feathers are formed so as to take the shape of a canoe.