# grow away from

CEFR B2 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/grow-away-from
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to slowly stop being close to a person or an interest as you get older or change.

For teachers: to gradually lose intimacy, shared interests, or a sense of connection with someone or something over time; often used to describe the natural divergence of friends or family members.

## Examples

- I grew away from my childhood friends after university.
- As she developed new hobbies in her thirties, she realized she had grown away from her old social circle.
- The siblings eventually grew away from each other as their political views and lifestyle choices became increasingly incompatible over the decades.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He grew away his parents." but "He grew away from his parents." — the preposition 'from' is essential to indicate the person or thing being left behind.

## Usage notes

- usually describes a slow, natural process rather than a sudden argument or break-up.
- Teaching tip: contrast with 'grow apart', which is very similar but often implies a mutual distance, whereas 'grow away from' focuses on the subject moving away from a specific point or person.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.