grow out

become too old for something (a habit, an interest)

B2

What does "grow out of sth" mean?

To grow out of something means to gradually stop doing it, wanting it, or being affected by it as you become older and more mature. It usually describes a natural, slow process rather than a conscious decision — the change happens over time, often without much effort. The phrase is especially common when talking about children's behaviours or phases, such as shyness, tantrums, or childhood fears, though adults also use it when reflecting on how they have changed. What makes this phrasal verb distinctive is its implication that time itself does the work — the person simply matures past whatever it was. It often appears in reassuring contexts, where someone is telling another person not to worry because the behaviour will naturally fade.

Examples

How to use it

subject + grow out of + behaviour/phase/habit

The most common structure — a person is the subject and the object is a behaviour, phase, or habit they are maturing past.

A lot of children grow out of their shyness once they start spending time with other kids.

subject + grow out of + it/them

Using a pronoun as the object is extremely natural, especially in reassuring responses where the habit or phase is already understood from context.

He bites his nails constantly, but I'm sure he'll grow out of it.

subject + will + grow out of + object

The future form with 'will' is especially common in reassuring statements, suggesting the change will happen naturally with time.

Don't worry about her tantrums — she'll grow out of them soon enough.

subject + have/has grown out of + object

The present perfect is used when reflecting on a change that has already happened and is relevant to the present.

I think I've finally grown out of my need to impress everyone I meet.

subject + grew out of + object

The simple past is used when looking back at a specific point when the maturing process was completed.

She used to be terrified of thunderstorms, but she grew out of it by the time she was twelve.

Common Collocations

a phasea habitshynesstantrumsit (pronoun)childish behaviour

Common Mistakes

Dropping 'of'

Because 'grow out of' is a three-part phrasal verb, all three parts are required — you cannot drop 'of' and leave the object floating. The preposition and its object (or a pronoun) must always be present.

✗ She'll grow out it eventually.
✓ She'll grow out of it eventually.
Confusing 'grow out of' with 'get over'

'Grow out of' describes a gradual, natural process of maturation — it suggests time does the work. 'Get over' implies recovering from something difficult or unpleasant and can apply to any age, with no sense of developmental change.

✗ He grew out of his fear of flying after therapy.
✓ He got over his fear of flying after therapy. / He grew out of his childhood fear of flying as he got older.
Using the passive voice

Because the subject of 'grow out of' is always the person doing the maturing, the verb cannot be turned around into a passive structure. The thing being left behind cannot become the subject of the sentence.

✗ His shyness was grown out of by the time he started university.
✓ He had grown out of his shyness by the time he started university.

Usage

This phrasal verb is neutral and common in everyday speech. It is very frequently used with the pronoun 'it' as the object ('Don't worry, he'll grow out of it'), which is the most natural short response in reassuring contexts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does 'grow out of' always refer to children, or can adults use it too?

Adults use it too, and quite naturally. It often appears when someone is reflecting on how they have changed — for example, 'I grew out of my obsession with approval in my late twenties.' The phrase simply implies gradual maturation, which can happen at any stage of life, though it is especially common in parenting contexts.

Can 'grow out of' have a different meaning? I've seen it used in a way that doesn't seem to be about getting older.

Yes — 'grow out of' has a second, unrelated meaning: 'to develop or originate from something', as in 'The company grew out of a small side project.' In that sense, the subject is usually a thing (an idea, a project, a movement), not a person. This entry covers only the 'become too mature for' meaning, so look at the context to decide which sense is being used.

What kinds of things can follow 'grow out of' in this sense?

The object is almost always a behaviour, habit, phase, fear, or trait — things like shyness, tantrums, a fear of the dark, nail-biting, or a childhood obsession. It is not typically used for physical objects like clothing. The pronoun 'it' is also extremely common as the object, especially in reassuring statements like 'Don't worry, she'll grow out of it.'

Is 'grow out of' the same as 'outgrow'?

'Outgrow' is a single-word synonym that covers the same meaning and is slightly more formal in feel. In everyday conversation, 'grow out of' tends to sound more natural, but in most contexts the two are interchangeable. You can usually choose whichever feels more natural for the situation.

Can I use 'grow out of' in the continuous form, like 'she is growing out of it'?

Yes, the present continuous works and emphasises that the process is happening right now — for example, 'I think she's slowly growing out of it.' It's less common than the simple present or future forms, but it's perfectly natural when you want to highlight that the change is actively in progress.

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