grow distant

Meaning

This expression means to gradually become less close, friendly, or emotionally connected to someone over time. It is often used to describe friendships, romantic relationships, or family connections that fade due to a lack of communication or changing life circumstances.

Examples

• After we went to different universities, Sarah and I started to grow distant.

  After we went to different universities, Sarah and I started to grow distant.

• I feel like my brother and I have grown distant over the last few years.

  I feel like my brother and I have grown distant over the last few years.

• If you don't make time for each other, it is easy to grow distant in a marriage.

  If you don't make time for each other, it is easy to grow distant in a marriage.

• They never had a big fight; they just slowly grew distant.

  They never had a big fight; they just slowly grew distant.

• She noticed her best friend growing distant but didn't know how to bring it up.

  She noticed her best friend growing distant but didn't know how to bring it up.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ After high school, my best friend and I grew far.

  ✓ After high school, my best friend and I grew distant.

  Learners often translate literally from their native language and use 'far' instead of 'distant' to describe emotional drift.

• ✗ I feel like we are growing distance lately.

  ✓ I feel like we are growing distant lately.

  'Distant' is an adjective describing the state of the relationship, while 'distance' is a noun. Use the adjective form after the linking verb 'grow'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Ever since he moved to Chicago, we've started to ___.

  💡 become less close over time

  Show answer

  grow distant

• Don't let busy schedules cause you and your partner to ___.

  💡 lose your emotional connection

  Show answer

  grow distant