ENGLISH
REFERENCE

grow up

idiom
Meaning

To stop acting as or like a child (often used as an imperative interjection).


Origin

disputed origin

Dissimilated from Middle English upgrowen.

Examples
SIMPLE

You need to grow up and take responsibility for your actions.

CONTEXTUAL

When he started making silly jokes during the serious meeting, his manager told him it was time to grow up.

COMPLEX

Despite his advanced age, he refused to grow up, preferring to spend his days chasing fleeting pleasures rather than addressing the realities of his life.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    absence makes the heart grow fonder

    One feels more love or affection for those one loves when parted from them.

  2. 02

    grow a pair

    To be brave; to show some courage, especially in a situation in which one has so far failed to do so.

  3. 03

    grow a set

    Synonym of grow a pair.

  4. 04

    grow a tail

    to be nearly about to defecate, to the point of being unable to completely hold it in

  5. 05

    grow apart

    To gradually become estranged.

  6. 06

    grow cold

    To wane; to lose interest or enthusiasm for something or someone; to become disenchanted or to fall out of love with someone.

  7. 07

    grow on

    To become more likeable to someone.

  8. 08

    grow out of

    To become too physically large for something, especially clothes.

Last updated April 17, 2026