# grow up on

CEFR B1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/grow-up-on
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to spend your childhood in a specific place or eating a specific type of food.

For teachers: to spend one's formative years in a particular location or subsisting on a specific diet; often used to indicate cultural or environmental background.

## Examples

- I grew up on a farm in the countryside.
- Many children in that coastal town grow up on fresh seafood and local vegetables.
- Having grown up on the stories of his ancestors, the young author felt a profound connection to the oral traditions of his community.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He grew up on London." but "He grew up in London." — Use 'in' for cities or countries; use 'on' for specific types of land like farms, islands, or for diets.

## Usage notes

- The object is usually a location, a diet, or a specific cultural influence like music or books.
- Teaching tip: Distinguish between 'grow up in' (general location) and 'grow up on' (specific environment like a farm, or a diet/influence); 'on' implies a source of nourishment or a specific foundation.

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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.