grow out of — 3 meanings

One phrase, 3 meanings. Learn them one at a time, then test yourself.

phrasal verb3 meanings

grow out of

become too big for stop a childish habit develop from

Meaning 1 · most common

become too big for

grow out of sth

To become too large or tall to fit into something, especially clothes or shoes, as you get older.

How oftenCommon

LevelB1

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

My son has grown out of all his shoes again.

A: Why are there so many old clothes in this bag?
B: Oh, Lily grew out of them last year.

Common mistake

Not: He grew out ~~from~~ his shoes.

Say: He grew out of his shoes.

It's 'grow out OF', not 'out from'.

More on “become too big for”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

When I was a child, I used to get new uniforms every year because I would quickly grow out of the old ones.

Tell it apart

He's grown out of his shoes.

too big for them now

He's grown out of throwing tantrums.

stopped the habit

Goes with

grow out of + clothes

Practice saying this

Next meaning: stop a childish habit

Meaning 2

stop a childish habit

grow out of sth

To stop doing something as you get older, especially a habit or interest that is seen as childish.

How oftenCommon

LevelB2

Used inSpeech & writing

Examples

Most children eventually grow out of being afraid of the dark.

A: Do you still bite your nails?
B: No, I grew out of that years ago.

Common mistake

Not: Kids usually grow out ~~from~~ tantrums.

Say: Kids usually grow out of tantrums.

'Grow out OF + habit'.

More on “stop a childish habit”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

I used to be very shy in social situations, but I grew out of it as I became more confident during university.

Tell it apart

She grew out of biting her nails.

stopped the habit

She grew out of her shoes.

got physically too big

Goes with

grow out of + habit

Practice saying this

Next meaning: develop from

Meaning 3

develop from

grow out of sth

To originate or develop as a result of a particular situation, idea, or set of circumstances, rather than from something physical or concrete.

How oftenNow and then

LevelC1

Used inMostly written

Examples

The initiative grew out of a series of informal discussions among the research team.

A: How did this annual festival start?
B: It actually grew out of a small community event that was held years ago.

Common mistake

Not: The idea grew out ~~from~~ a casual chat.

Say: The idea grew out of a casual chat.

'Grow out OF' (= develop from), not 'out from'.

More on “develop from”Another example · Tell it apart · Goes with · Tip

Another example

Many successful businesses have grown out of a simple idea that addressed a specific need in the market.

Tell it apart

The charity grew out of a local campaign.

developed from it

She grew out of her old bike.

got physically too big

Goes with

grow out of

Practice saying this

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become too big for stop a childish habit develop from