Phrasal verb
grow up
Meanings
to develop from a child into an adult
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to start behaving in a more mature or responsible way
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to spend your childhood in a particular place
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Definition
To grow up means to become an adult as you develop from a child.
To grow up is to change from being a child into an adult over time. It can also mean to start acting in a more mature and responsible way. People often use it when talking about childhood, family, and the place where someone spent their early years.
Examples
- I grew up in a small coastal town.
- You need to grow up and apologize.
- He grew up watching his grandmother cook every weekend.
- She wants to grow up and become a teacher.
- They grew up near the mountains, so they love hiking.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse “grow up” (become an adult) with “grow” (increase in size) and incorrectly say “grow up a plant” instead of “grow a plant.”
More phrasal verbs
- go on To go on means to continue or keep happening.
- carry out To carry out something means to do it or complete it, especially a plan, task, or instruction.
- set up To set up means to arrange or prepare something so it is ready to use or happen.
- pick up “Pick up” most commonly means to collect someone or something from a place, usually by going there.
- go back To go back means to return to a place, time, or earlier situation.