grow up
/ɡroʊ ʌp/
Meaning
This phrasal verb means to develop from a child into an adult. In casual conversation, it can also be used as an imperative command to tell someone to behave in a more mature way.
Examples
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I grew up in a small town near the mountains.
I grew up in a small town near the mountains.
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What do you want to be when you grow up?
What do you want to be when you grow up?
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He needs to grow up and take responsibility for his actions.
He needs to grow up and take responsibility for his actions.
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As they grew up, the two brothers became best friends.
As they grew up, the two brothers became best friends.
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Stop fighting over the remote control and grow up!
Stop fighting over the remote control and grow up!
Common Mistakes
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✗ I was grown up in New York.
✓ I grew up in New York.
'Grow up' is an active, intransitive verb. You cannot say 'I was grown up' in the passive voice. If you want to use a passive structure, use 'I was raised in New York.'
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✗ She is growing up her children very well.
✓ She is raising her children very well.
'Grow up' is intransitive, meaning it cannot take a direct object. You cannot 'grow up' someone else; you can only raise or bring up children.
Related Expressions
Practice
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Where did you ___?
💡 Spend your childhood.
Show answer
grow up
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Oh, ___! It's just a harmless joke.
💡 Stop acting childishly.
Show answer
grow up