grow up

verb

1. to reach maturity; become adult

2. to come into existence; develop

Idioms and Phrases

Become an adult, as in Sam wants to be a policeman when he grows up . [First half of 1500s]

Come into existence, arise, as in Similar social problems grew up in all the big cities . [Late 1500s]

Become mature or sensible, as in It's time you grew up and faced the facts . This usage may also be in the form of an imperative (as in Don't bite your nails—grow up! ) [Mid-1900s]

Related Words

• advance 
• establish 
• evolve 
• expand 
• flourish 
• grow 
• progress 
• promote