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]

Example Sentences

He definitely grew up to grab the movies’ attention.

From Los Angeles Times

Of Yemeni and Syrian heritage, Al-Shamahi grew up in Birmingham, England; earned degrees in evolutionary biology and taxonomy and biodiversity from Imperial College London and was named a National Geographic Emerging Explorer in 2015.

From Los Angeles Times

Like others in her cohort, she did several stints in high-stakes kitchens and also grew up working at her family’s taquería.

From Los Angeles Times

Bui, 27, who grew up in South L.A., said that obtaining the certificate led to her job at a private dental practice in Lakewood, where she specialized in orthodontics, adjusting braces and handling other tasks.

From Los Angeles Times

Essex Police and the Foreign Office have been supporting the relatives since Mr Nunan, who grew up in Reading, Berkshire, disappeared.

From BBC

Related Words

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