grow on someone

Meaning

This phrase is used when you gradually start to like someone or something more and more over time, even if you did not like them much at first. It suggests a slow shift in feeling rather than instant affection. It is very common in casual conversations about people, music, cities, or food.

Examples

• I didn't like the new manager at first, but she is starting to grow on me.

  I didn't like the new manager at first, but she is starting to grow on me.

• The city was noisy and chaotic, but it gradually grew on us.

  The city was noisy and chaotic, but it gradually grew on us.

• Give the album a few more listens; I promise the songs will grow on you.

  Give the album a few more listens; I promise the songs will grow on you.

• His quirky sense of humor might seem strange, but it eventually grows on people.

  His quirky sense of humor might seem strange, but it eventually grows on people.

• I hated this wallpaper when we moved in, but now it's growing on me.

  I hated this wallpaper when we moved in, but now it's growing on me.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I am growing on this new book.

  ✓ This new book is growing on me.

  The subject must be the thing or person that is liked, and the object of 'on' is the person whose feelings are changing.

• ✗ He grew on to me after a few weeks.

  ✓ He grew on me after a few weeks.

  Do not add the preposition 'to' after 'on'. The phrasal verb is simply 'grow on [someone]'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I wasn't a fan of the show in the beginning, but it's really starting to ___.

  💡 Use the pronoun 'me' at the end.

  Show answer

  grow on me

• At first, Sarah found his jokes annoying, but he slowly ___ her.

  💡 Use the past tense of the verb.

  Show answer

  grew on