Growing up is something we all do. Sometimes we grow taller, and other times we grow wiser. People often use special phrases called idioms to talk about this kind of change. These idioms make language more fun and help us explain big ideas in simple ways.
In this article, we’ll look at different idioms that describe growth. These phrases show how people change, learn, and become stronger. They can talk about growing as a person, learning new things, or becoming more confident. Let’s explore these idioms together and see how they can help us talk about growing up.
Idioms About Growth
1. Grow up
Meaning: To become mature or adult-like.
Example Sentences:
- “It’s time to grow up and take responsibility.”
- “She had to grow up quickly after moving out.”
Other ways to say: Mature, become an adult
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase refers to the natural process of aging and gaining maturity.
Usage: Used when someone needs to act more responsibly.
2. Grow apart
Meaning: To become less close over time.
Example Sentences:
- “After high school, they grew apart.”
- “We used to be best friends, but we grew apart.”
Other ways to say: Drift apart, lose connection
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used to describe relationships that fade over time.
Usage: Describes relationships that have weakened.
3. Grow on someone
Meaning: To become more liked over time.
Example Sentences:
- “At first, I didn’t like the song, but it grew on me.”
- “Her new haircut is growing on me.”
Other ways to say: Become likable, win over
Fun Fact/Origin: Suggests gradual increase in affection or appreciation.
Usage: When something becomes more appealing over time.
4. Grow out of
Meaning: To stop doing something as one matures.
Example Sentences:
- “He grew out of his fear of the dark.”
- “She grew out of playing with dolls.”
Other ways to say: Leave behind, move past
Fun Fact/Origin: Often refers to childhood habits left behind in adulthood.
Usage: When someone stops a behavior due to maturity.
5. Grow a backbone
Meaning: To become brave or assertive.
Example Sentences:
- “You need to grow a backbone and speak up.”
- “She finally grew a backbone and stood up to the bully.”
Other ways to say: Be courageous, stand firm
Fun Fact/Origin: Backbone symbolizes strength and support.
Usage: Encouraging someone to be more assertive.
6. Grow a thick skin
Meaning: To become less sensitive to criticism.
Example Sentences:
- “In politics, you need to grow a thick skin.”
- “She grew a thick skin after years of rejection.”
Other ways to say: Be resilient, toughen up
Fun Fact/Origin: Thick skin implies protection against external harm.
Usage: Advising someone to handle criticism better.
7. Grow on trees
Meaning: To be abundant or easily available (often used negatively).
Example Sentences:
- “Money doesn’t grow on trees.”
- “Time doesn’t grow on trees; use it wisely.”
Other ways to say: Not easily obtained, scarce
Fun Fact/Origin: Highlights the value of resources.
Usage: Reminding about the scarcity of valuable things.
8. Grow like a weed
Meaning: To grow rapidly.
Example Sentences:
- “Your son is growing like a weed!”
- “The company’s profits are growing like weeds.”
Other ways to say: Grow quickly, sprout up
Fun Fact/Origin: Weeds are known for their rapid growth.
Usage: Describing fast growth, especially in children or businesses.
9. Grow cold
Meaning: To become less enthusiastic or affectionate.
Example Sentences:
- “Their friendship grew cold over the years.”
- “His interest in the project grew cold.”
Other ways to say: Lose interest, become distant
Fun Fact/Origin: Coldness symbolizes lack of warmth or affection.
Usage: When feelings or relationships fade.
10. Grow weary
Meaning: To become tired or bored.
Example Sentences:
- “She grew weary of the same routine.”
- “He grew weary waiting for the bus.”
Other ways to say: Get tired, become fatigued
Fun Fact/Origin: Weary implies both physical and emotional exhaustion.
Usage: Expressing fatigue or boredom.
11. Grow fond of
Meaning: To develop affection for someone or something.
Example Sentences:
- “He grew fond of his new puppy.”
- “She grew fond of her coworkers.”
Other ways to say: Develop liking, become attached
Fun Fact/Origin: Fondness indicates a gentle affection.
Usage: When affection develops over time.
12. Grow rich
Meaning: To become wealthy.
Example Sentences:
- “He hopes to grow rich through investments.”
- “Many dream of growing rich overnight.”
Other ways to say: Become wealthy, amass fortune
Fun Fact/Origin: Reflects the desire for financial growth.
Usage: Discussing wealth accumulation.
13. Grow tired of
Meaning: To become bored or annoyed with something.
Example Sentences:
- “She grew tired of the same meals every day.”
- “He grew tired of the constant noise.”
Other ways to say: Become bored, lose interest
Fun Fact/Origin: Tiredness here refers to mental fatigue.
Usage: Expressing boredom or annoyance.
14. Grow stronger
Meaning: To become more powerful or resilient.
Example Sentences:
- “Their bond grew stronger over time.”
- “She grew stronger after facing challenges.”
Other ways to say: Gain strength, become resilient
Fun Fact/Origin: Strength often symbolizes personal growth.
Usage: Describing increasing strength or resilience.
15. Grow wiser
Meaning: To become more knowledgeable or experienced.
Example Sentences:
- “With age, he grew wiser.”
- “She grew wiser after her experiences.”
Other ways to say: Gain wisdom, become insightful
Fun Fact/Origin: Wisdom is often associated with age and experience.
Usage: When someone gains knowledge over time.
16. Grow shorter
Meaning: To have less time or patience.
Example Sentences:
- “His patience grew shorter with each delay.”
- “Time is growing shorter; we must hurry.”
Other ways to say: Decrease, diminish
Fun Fact/Origin: Shortness here implies scarcity.
Usage: Indicating dwindling time or patience.
17. Grow colder
Meaning: To become less friendly or warm.
Example Sentences:
- “Their relationship grew colder after the argument.”
- “He grew colder towards his colleagues.”
Other ways to say: Become distant, lose warmth
Fun Fact/Origin: Coldness symbolizes emotional distance.
Usage: Describing fading relationships.
18. Grow together
Meaning: To develop a closer relationship over time.
Example Sentences:
- “They grew together during their travels.”
- “Working on the project made them grow together.”
Other ways to say: Bond, become close
Fun Fact/Origin: Togetherness implies unity.
Usage: When relationships strengthen over time.
19. Grow into
Meaning: To develop into a particular role or fit into something over time.
Example Sentences:
- “He grew into a confident leader.”
- “She’ll grow into that dress soon.”
Other ways to say: Develop into, become suitable for
Fun Fact/Origin: Implies natural progression or development.
Usage: Describing adaptation or growth into a role or item.
20. Grow wild
Meaning: To grow uncontrollably.
Example Sentences:
- “The garden grew wild without care.”
- “Her imagination grew wild with ideas.”
Other ways to say: Overgrow, become unrestrained
Fun Fact/Origin: Wild growth often refers to nature left unchecked.
Usage: When something grows without control.
21. Grow thin
Meaning: To become less plentiful or scarce.
Example Sentences:
- “Supplies are growing thin.”
- “Her patience is growing thin.”
Other ways to say: Diminish, decrease
Fun Fact/Origin: Thinness implies scarcity.
Usage: Indicating reduction in quantity or tolerance.
22. Grow light
Meaning: To become less heavy or burdensome.
Example Sentences:
- “The load grew light as we shared it.”
- “Her heart grew light with joy.”
Other ways to say: Ease, lighten
Fun Fact/Origin: Lightness symbolizes relief or happiness.
Usage: Describing relief or reduced burden.
23. Grow heavy
Meaning: To become more burdensome or serious.
Example Sentences:
- “The atmosphere grew heavy with tension.”
- “His responsibilities grew heavy over time.”
Other ways to say: Intensify, become weighty
Fun Fact/Origin: Heaviness implies seriousness or burden.
Usage: When situations become more serious or burdensome.
24. Grow stale
Meaning: To become uninteresting or outdated.
Example Sentences:
- “The joke grew stale after repeated use.”
- “Their routine grew stale over the years.”
Other ways to say: Become dull, lose freshness
Fun Fact/Origin: Staleness refers to loss of freshness.
Usage: Describing loss of interest or novelty.
25. Grow restless
Meaning: To become uneasy or impatient.
Example Sentences:
- “The audience grew restless during the delay.”
- “He grew restless waiting for the results.”
Other ways to say: Become anxious, fidgety
Fun Fact/Origin: Restlessness indicates desire for change or action.
Usage: When someone becomes impatient or uneasy.
26. Grow accustomed to
Meaning: To become familiar with something.
Example Sentences:
- “She grew accustomed to the new schedule.”
- “He grew accustomed to the city’s noise.”
Other ways to say: Get used to, adapt
Fun Fact/Origin: Accustomed implies comfort through familiarity.
Usage: When someone adapts to new conditions.
27. Grow distant
Meaning: To become less close or connected.
Example Sentences:
- “They grew distant after the move.”
- “His friends grew distant over time.”
Other ways to say: Drift apart, lose touch
Fun Fact/Origin: Distance symbolizes emotional or relational separation.
Usage: Used to describe weakening bonds between people.
28. Grow roots
Meaning: To settle down in a place.
Example Sentences:
- “After years of moving, they finally grew roots in the small town.”
- “She grew roots in her new job and community.”
Other ways to say: Settle down, make a home
Fun Fact/Origin: Based on how plants grow roots to stay in one spot.
Usage: When someone settles in a place or becomes stable.
29. Grow wings
Meaning: To gain freedom or independence.
Example Sentences:
- “When she went to college, she grew wings.”
- “He grew wings and started his own business.”
Other ways to say: Become independent, spread your wings
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to birds learning to fly and leaving the nest.
Usage: Describes gaining independence or confidence.
30. Grow wiser with age
Meaning: To learn from life experiences over time.
Example Sentences:
- “My grandpa always says you grow wiser with age.”
- “She grew wiser with age and handled problems better.”
Other ways to say: Learn with time, gain experience
Fun Fact/Origin: Age is often linked with knowledge and wisdom.
Usage: When people become more understanding as they get older.
31. Grow wings and fly
Meaning: To take bold steps or start something new on your own.
Example Sentences:
- “It’s time to grow wings and fly on your own.”
- “She grew wings and flew into a new career.”
Other ways to say: Take off, become independent
Fun Fact/Origin: Inspired by birds learning to fly and exploring the world.
Usage: Used to encourage bravery in starting something alone.
32. Grow teeth
Meaning: To become more aggressive or assertive.
Example Sentences:
- “The quiet student grew teeth and spoke up in class.”
- “That rule grew teeth once they started enforcing it.”
Other ways to say: Get serious, become strict
Fun Fact/Origin: Teeth symbolize strength or toughness.
Usage: Used when someone or something starts to show power.
33. Grow from within
Meaning: To improve oneself internally, not just on the outside.
Example Sentences:
- “She believes you grow from within.”
- “He worked hard to grow from within after the mistake.”
Other ways to say: Self-improve, build character
Fun Fact/Origin: Suggests real change comes from inside a person.
Usage: Talks about emotional or mental growth.
34. Grow by leaps and bounds
Meaning: To grow or improve very quickly.
Example Sentences:
- “Her reading skills grew by leaps and bounds.”
- “The company grew by leaps and bounds in a year.”
Other ways to say: Improve fast, grow rapidly
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to big, sudden jumps in progress.
Usage: Used when progress or growth happens quickly.
35. Grow into a role
Meaning: To become good at something over time.
Example Sentences:
- “He grew into his role as class president.”
- “She grew into the job with practice.”
Other ways to say: Adapt to, get used to
Fun Fact/Origin: Suggests people may not fit perfectly at first but improve.
Usage: Describes someone learning and getting better at a role.
36. Grow through what you go through
Meaning: To learn and grow from hard times.
Example Sentences:
- “She grew through what she went through after the loss.”
- “Hard times helped him grow through what he went through.”
Other ways to say: Learn from hardship, grow from challenges
Fun Fact/Origin: A newer saying that rhymes and encourages learning from life.
Usage: Often used for emotional growth from tough experiences.
37. Grow into your own
Meaning: To become confident and sure of who you are.
Example Sentences:
- “She grew into her own during college.”
- “It took time, but he grew into his own.”
Other ways to say: Find yourself, gain confidence
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to becoming comfortable with your identity.
Usage: When someone becomes more self-assured.
38. Grow beyond
Meaning: To become more advanced or move past something.
Example Sentences:
- “He grew beyond his old mistakes.”
- “They grew beyond their childhood fears.”
Other ways to say: Move forward, outgrow
Fun Fact/Origin: Suggests moving past limits or former versions of oneself.
Usage: Used when someone matures or advances.
39. Grow fast
Meaning: To develop or improve quickly.
Example Sentences:
- “Babies grow fast in the first year.”
- “He grew fast in his new job.”
Other ways to say: Grow quickly, develop fast
Fun Fact/Origin: Common phrase used for children or new businesses.
Usage: Describes rapid development.
40. Grow up overnight
Meaning: To mature very quickly.
Example Sentences:
- “She had to grow up overnight after her parents’ divorce.”
- “He grew up overnight when he became a big brother.”
Other ways to say: Mature suddenly, become responsible fast
Fun Fact/Origin: Suggests sudden changes force quick maturity.
Usage: Used when someone matures quickly due to events.
41. Grow your own path
Meaning: To choose your own way in life.
Example Sentences:
- “She grew her own path instead of following others.”
- “He grew his own path as an artist.”
Other ways to say: Make your own way, follow your own road
Fun Fact/Origin: Suggests making life choices based on your goals.
Usage: Encourages independence and self-direction.
42. Grow under pressure
Meaning: To get better when facing challenges.
Example Sentences:
- “He grows under pressure during big games.”
- “She grows under pressure when there’s a deadline.”
Other ways to say: Thrive under stress, perform well under pressure
Fun Fact/Origin: Like a seed growing through cracks in concrete.
Usage: Describes someone improving when things are tough.
43. Grow quietly
Meaning: To improve without showing off.
Example Sentences:
- “She grew quietly in confidence and skills.”
- “He grew quietly, but everyone noticed in time.”
Other ways to say: Improve silently, progress humbly
Fun Fact/Origin: Focuses on growth without attention.
Usage: When someone improves without making it obvious.
44. Grow forward
Meaning: To move ahead after challenges.
Example Sentences:
- “We must grow forward after mistakes.”
- “He learned to grow forward from failure.”
Other ways to say: Move on, progress
Fun Fact/Origin: Modern twist on “move forward,” with a focus on growth.
Usage: Used in motivational or self-improvement context.
45. Grow brave
Meaning: To become more courageous.
Example Sentences:
- “She grew brave enough to speak in front of the class.”
- “He grew brave and tried something new.”
Other ways to say: Gain courage, be bold
Fun Fact/Origin: Bravery often develops with experience.
Usage: Used when someone becomes less afraid over time.
Quiz: Idioms About Growth
Instructions: Read each question and the answer choices carefully. Pick the letter that best matches the meaning of the phrase or expression.
Question Key
1. What does “grow apart” mean?
A) Move to a new place
B) Become close friends
C) Become less close over time
2. If someone says they “grew a backbone,” what do they mean?
A) They became more brave
B) They got taller
C) They started a workout
3. What does it mean if something “grows on you”?
A) It becomes annoying
B) You start to like it over time
C) It sticks to you
4. If a child is “growing like a weed,” what does that suggest?
A) They are slow
B) They are shrinking
C) They are growing very fast
5. What does “money doesn’t grow on trees” mean?
A) Money is easy to find
B) Money is hard to earn
C) Trees are full of cash
6. If someone says “grow through what you go through,” what do they mean?
A) Give up during hard times
B) Get stuck in your troubles
C) Learn and become stronger from challenges
7. What does “grow roots” mean?
A) Start gardening
B) Stay in one place
C) Move every year
8. If someone has “grown tired of” something, what does that mean?
A) They still enjoy it
B) They are bored or annoyed with it
C) They want more of it
9. If someone “grows a thick skin,” what does it mean?
A) They become sensitive
B) They take everything seriously
C) They stop getting upset by small things
10. What does it mean to “grow into a role”?
A) The job becomes boring
B) You improve and become good at it
C) You leave the job
11. If someone is said to “grow distant,” what’s happening?
A) They are becoming closer
B) They are staying the same
C) They are becoming less connected
12. What does “grow wild” describe?
A) Something fun
B) Something out of control
C) Something neat
13. What does it mean to “grow wiser with age”?
A) To play more games
B) To forget more
C) To learn from life and become smarter
14. If someone “grows wings and flies,” what does that suggest?
A) They are leaving school
B) They are trying something on their own
C) They are scared
15. What does “grow brave” mean?
A) To become more afraid
B) To gain courage
C) To stop trying
Answer Key
- C) Become less close over time
- A) They became more brave
- B) You start to like it over time
- C) They are growing very fast
- B) Money is hard to earn
- C) Learn and become stronger from challenges
- B) Stay in one place
- B) They are bored or annoyed with it
- C) They stop getting upset by small things
- B) You improve and become good at it
- C) They are becoming less connected
- B) Something out of control
- C) To learn from life and become smarter
- B) They are trying something on their own
- B) To gain courage
Wrapping Up
Learning idioms about growth helps us describe how people change over time. These phrases are simple ways to talk about becoming stronger, smarter, or more independent. You can use them in your everyday conversations.
As you grow, remember that learning from mistakes and taking small steps is part of the journey. These idioms can guide you as you keep improving, just like everyone else. Keep growing—one step at a time.
