English Reference
Idiom idiom

come of age


To reach a specific age where one is legally considered to be an adult.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

In many countries, you come of age at eighteen.

CONTEXTUAL

The young prince will officially come of age during a ceremony held on his eighteenth birthday.

COMPLEX

As the protagonist begins to come of age, she must finally confront the difficult responsibilities that her family expects her to carry.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    act one's age

    To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.

  2. 02

    act one's age, not one's shoe size

    Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).

  3. 03

    age before beauty

    A phrase said to allow older people to go before younger ones.

  4. 04

    appetite comes with eating

    Starting an activity increases one's desire to continue it.

  5. 05

    as they come

    As it is possible to be.

  6. 06

    blow to kingdom come

    To totally destroy (something); to annihilate or wipe out (something).

  7. 07

    burn that bridge when one comes to it

    To anticipate dealing with a problem or situation either by acting in a manner that alienates or cuts ties with others, or merely with the expectation of encountering trouble.

  8. 08

    Christmas come early

    Something very delightful or fortunate that is happening or has happened, especially earlier than expected.

Last updated August 10, 2026