  We study the matter bispectrum of large-scale structure by comparing the
predictions of different perturbative and phenomenological models with the full
three-dimensional bispectrum from $N$-body simulations estimated using modal
methods. We show that among the perturbative approaches, effective field theory
succeeds in extending the range of validity furthest on intermediate scales, at
the cost of free additional parameters. By studying the halo model, we show
that although it is satisfactory in the deeply non-linear regime, it predicts a
deficit of power on intermediate scales, worsening at redshifts $z>0$. By
comparison with the $N$-body bispectrum on those scales, we show that there is
a significant squeezed component underestimated in the halo model. On the basis
of these results, we propose a new three-shape model, based on the tree-level,
squeezed and constant bispectrum shapes we identified in the halo model; after
calibration this fits the simulations on all scales and redshifts of interest.
We extend this model further to primordial non-Gaussianity of the local and
equilateral types by showing that the same shapes can be used to describe the
additional non-Gaussian component in the matter bispectrum. This method
provides a HALOFIT-like prototype of the bispectrum that could be used to
describe and test parameter dependencies and should be relevant for the
bispectrum of weak gravitational lensing and wider applications.
