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 suggests pairing questions and answers that aren’t available publicly, such as, “What was the name of the motel we went to at the beach when I was growing up?”

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She noticed growing up that outdoor pursuits looked expensive, and felt put off from giving them a go.

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Jordan Walid, who grew up in Hastings, said the town was a "good environment".

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As a young kid I played since I was five years old, so I grew up being a football fan and I had the opportunity to be a footballer which is every kid's dream.

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As a “very, very effeminate boy” growing up in Baltimore, Ben Appel was teased mercilessly.

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Related Words

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