50 Idioms for Growing Up (Meanings & Examples)

Idioms are fun phrases where the words together mean something entirely different from what the words say by themselves. People use them in daily chats and stories to make conversations much more colorful and exciting. In this lesson, you will learn fifty handy idioms that relate to growing up and maturing over time.

In this lesson, we’ll look at idioms that mean getting older and becoming more responsible. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.

Idioms for Growing Up

1. Spread your wings

Definition: To start becoming independent and trying new things on your own.

Used in a Sentence: Leaving for middle school gave her a chance to spread her wings and make new friends. / When teenagers turn older, they want to spread their wings and travel.

Similar Expressions: Become independent / Fly the coop

2. Grow like a weed

Definition: To grow physically taller or larger very quickly.

Used in a Sentence: My little brother ate so much dinner that he seemed to grow like a weed this year. / Those tomato plants in the garden grow like a weed in the sunshine.

Similar Expressions: Shoot up fast / Grow rapidly

3. Come of age

Definition: To reach the age when you are legally or socially considered an adult.

Used in a Sentence: Voting in elections happens when citizens finally come of age. / The young prince will come of age during the royal ceremony next month.

Similar Expressions: Reach adulthood / Become mature

4. Wet behind the ears

Definition: Being young, inexperienced, and lacking worldly knowledge.

Used in a Sentence: On my first day at the job, I was a bit wet behind the ears. / Do not worry about making mistakes when you are still wet behind the ears.

Similar Expressions: Inexperienced / Green and new

5. Cut the apron strings

Definition: To stop relying on your parents and start doing things independently.

Used in a Sentence: Moving to college meant he finally had to cut the apron strings. / Growing up requires teenagers to cut the apron strings and make their own choices.

Similar Expressions: Become self-reliant / Gain independence

6. Stand on your own two feet

Definition: To be completely independent and support yourself without help.

Used in a Sentence: After getting a summer job, she learned how to stand on her own two feet. / Parents want their children to grow up and stand on their own two feet.

Similar Expressions: Be independent / Support oneself

7. Turn a corner

Definition: To pass through a difficult stage and start improving or maturing.

Used in a Sentence: After studying harder, Leo began to turn a corner in his math grades. / The young puppy finally turned a corner with his obedience training.

Similar Expressions: Make progress / Improve steadily

8. Find your feet

Definition: To become comfortable and confident in a new situation or age stage.

Used in a Sentence: It took a few weeks, but I finally found my feet at the new school. / Moving to a bigger city takes time to find your feet.

Similar Expressions: Adjust well / Gain confidence

9. Pass the torch

Definition: To give responsibility or leadership to a younger person.

Used in a Sentence: The senior club president decided to pass the torch to a younger student. / Grandma was ready to pass the torch of baking recipes to her granddaughter.

Similar Expressions: Hand over duties / Transfer leadership

10. Growing pains

Definition: Minor problems or discomforts that happen while you are developing or learning.

Used in a Sentence: Missing a few shots in basketball is just part of the growing pains of a new team. / Our small business had a few growing pains during its first year.

Similar Expressions: Developmental struggles / Early challenges

11. Learn the ropes

Definition: To learn how to do a job or handle a new life stage properly.

Used in a Sentence: It took me a week to learn the ropes of managing my locker. / The new employee spent his first days trying to learn the ropes.

Similar Expressions: Learn how things work / Figure out the system

12. Cut your teeth

Definition: To gain your first real experience doing something important.

Used in a Sentence: He cut his teeth writing short articles for the school newspaper. / She cut her teeth by helping organize small community events.

Similar Expressions: Gain early experience / Start practicing

13. Come into your own

Definition: To become confident, successful, and comfortable with who you are.

Used in a Sentence: Once she joined the art club, she really began to come into her own. / Playing the piano helped him come into his own during middle school.

Similar Expressions: Blossom / Flourish successfully

14. Turn over a new leaf

Definition: To make a fresh start and change your habits as you mature.

Used in a Sentence: After getting sloppy grades, he decided to turn over a new leaf and study. / Growing older means you learn to turn over a new leaf after mistakes.

Similar Expressions: Start fresh / Begin anew

15. Find your voice

Definition: To learn how to express your thoughts and feelings bravely.

Used in a Sentence: Joining the debate team helped her find her voice in front of crowds. / Growing up allows teenagers to find their voice on important topics.

Similar Expressions: Express yourself / Speak up

16. Outgrow your clothes

Definition: To get physically bigger so that your garments no longer fit you.

Used in a Sentence: Every summer I seem to outgrow my clothes and need new shoes. / The puppy grew so fast that he quickly managed to outgrow his collar.

Similar Expressions: Grow too big / Expand physically

17. Coming of age story

Definition: A tale about a young person maturing into an adult.

Used in a Sentence: Our English teacher assigned a wonderful coming of age story to read. / The movie about the young wizard is a classic coming of age story.

Similar Expressions: Maturation tale / Youth journey

18. Hit puberty

Definition: The biological stage when a child’s body begins to develop into an adult body.

Used in a Sentence: Kids experience many physical changes when they hit puberty. / Growing taller and voice changes happen when teenagers hit puberty.

Similar Expressions: Reach adolescence / Mature physically

19. Find your footing

Definition: To gain stability and confidence during a changing phase of life.

Used in a Sentence: After moving to a new town, it took months to find my footing. / He finally found his footing in the advanced science class.

Similar Expressions: Gain stability / Feel secure

20. Make your own way

Definition: To build your own successful life through personal effort and choices.

Used in a Sentence: Graduates leave school ready to make their own way in the world. / She wanted to make her own way instead of copying her older siblings.

Similar Expressions: Forge a path / Build a life

21. Grow up fast

Definition: To mature quickly because of responsibilities or life events.

Used in a Sentence: Having to help care for his younger siblings made him grow up fast. / Children in big families often learn to grow up fast.

Similar Expressions: Mature quickly / Age rapidly

22. Branch out

Definition: To try new activities or hobbies as you expand your interests.

Used in a Sentence: High school is a great time to branch out and join new clubs. / She decided to branch out from painting into digital photography.

Similar Expressions: Expand interests / Try new things

23. Stand on your own two feet

Definition: To become self-sufficient and independent as an adult.

Used in a Sentence: Parents work hard so their children can stand on their own two feet. / Getting a steady job helped him stand on his own two feet.

Similar Expressions: Be self-reliant / Live independently

24. Find your niche

Definition: To discover the specific activity or group where you truly fit in.

Used in a Sentence: It took me two years to find my niche in the school band. / Exploring different sports helps kids find their niche.

Similar Expressions: Find your place / Discover where you belong

25. Cast off old habits

Definition: To stop doing childish things as you mature into a responsible person.

Used in a Sentence: Growing up means you must cast off old habits like throwing tantrums. / He worked hard to cast off old habits of procrastination.

Similar Expressions: Drop bad habits / Abandon old ways

26. Come of age professionally

Definition: To reach a high level of skill and maturity in your career.

Used in a Sentence: After ten years of designing buildings, the architect finally came of age professionally. / Young artists come of age professionally when they hold their first gallery show.

Similar Expressions: Reach career maturity / Excel professionally

27. Find your path

Definition: To choose the career and lifestyle direction that suits you best.

Used in a Sentence: Traveling abroad helped her find her path in environmental science. / Parents guide you, but you must ultimately find your path.

Similar Expressions: Choose a direction / Discover your calling

28. Leave the nest

Definition: When young adults move out of their parents’ home to live independently.

Used in a Sentence: Birds raise their chicks until it is time for them to leave the nest. / College is usually when young adults officially leave the nest.

Similar Expressions: Move out / Leave home

29. Cut the cord

Definition: To become fully independent from parental support and guidance.

Used in a Sentence: Moving into his own apartment meant he had to cut the cord. / Becoming an adult requires you to cut the cord and pay bills.

Similar Expressions: Become independent / Sever reliance

30. Stand tall

Definition: To face life challenges with confidence, maturity, and courage.

Used in a Sentence: Even when criticism came, she learned to stand tall and keep working. / Growing up teaches you how to stand tall during hard times.

Similar Expressions: Be courageous / Face challenges

31. Turn a new leaf

Definition: To change your behavior for the better as you grow wiser.

Used in a Sentence: He turned a new leaf and started helping with chores every evening. / As teenagers mature, they often turn a new leaf regarding schoolwork.

Similar Expressions: Change for the better / Start fresh

32. Grow out of it

Definition: To stop doing childish behaviors as you get older.

Used in a Sentence: Do not worry about biting your nails because you will eventually grow out of it. / Younger kids often throw tantrums, but they grow out of it.

Similar Expressions: Stop with age / Mature past a habit

33. Settle down

Definition: To adopt a calm, stable, and responsible lifestyle as an adult.

Used in a Sentence: After finishing college, the cousins decided to settle down in their hometown. / Buying a house is a big step when you want to settle down.

Similar Expressions: Establish stability / Put down roots

34. Blossom into

Definition: To develop gradually into a confident and capable person.

Used in a Sentence: The shy girl began to blossom into a wonderful public speaker. / With practice, the young athlete blossomed into a team captain.

Similar Expressions: Evolve into / Develop nicely

35. Find your stride

Definition: To reach a comfortable rhythm of maturity and productivity.

Used in a Sentence: It took him until sophomore year to find his stride in high school. / Once she settled into college life, she really found her stride.

Similar Expressions: Hit your rhythm / Progress comfortably

36. Find your own way

Definition: To navigate life decisions independently without parental help.

Used in a Sentence: Traveling across the country helped him find his own way. / Young adults must learn to find their own way in careers.

Similar Expressions: Navigate independently / Determine your route

37. Find your feet in the world

Definition: To become secure and capable in adult society.

Used in a Sentence: My older sister is currently trying to find her feet in the world after graduation. / College helps students find their feet in the world.

Similar Expressions: Gain worldly footing / Adjust to adult life

38. Come into maturity

Definition: To reach the mental and emotional stage of an adult.

Used in a Sentence: Reading challenging philosophy books helped him come into maturity. / Emotional balance arrives when you slowly come into maturity.

Similar Expressions: Reach maturity / Gain wisdom

39. Hit your stride of life

Definition: Entering a joyful and productive adult life stage.

Used in a Sentence: Entering his twenties felt like hitting his stride of life. / People often feel secure once they hit their stride of life.

Similar Expressions: Reach prime years / Enter adulthood successfully

40. Spread your potential

Definition: To develop all your hidden talents and skills fully.

Used in a Sentence: High school gives students a chance to spread their potential. / Mentors help young people spread their potential in academics.

Similar Expressions: Maximize abilities / Develop talents

41. Grow in wisdom

Definition: To gain better judgment, intelligence, and understanding with age.

Used in a Sentence: Reading books and listening to elders helps you grow in wisdom. / Experience teaches us how to grow in wisdom every year.

Similar Expressions: Gain wisdom / Mature mentally

42. Come of age socially

Definition: To develop proper manners and social skills for adult gatherings.

Used in a Sentence: Attending formal dinners helped him come of age socially. / Teenagers come of age socially when they learn to converse politely.

Similar Expressions: Gain social maturity / Learn etiquette

43. Find your calling

Definition: To discover the exact job or purpose you were meant to do in life.

Used in a Sentence: Volunteering at the animal shelter helped her find her calling as a vet. / He searched for years before finding his calling in carpentry.

Similar Expressions: Discover purpose / Find life work

44. Cast off childish things

Definition: To abandon immature toys and behaviors as you grow older.

Used in a Sentence: Moving into a dorm meant he had to cast off childish things. / Growing up involves a willingness to cast off childish things.

Similar Expressions: Leave behind immaturity / Grow past toys

45. Stand on your own two feet professionally

Definition: To achieve financial and career independence.

Used in a Sentence: Landing her first office job allowed her to stand on her own two feet professionally. / Working hard is the key to standing on your own two feet professionally.

Similar Expressions: Achieve career independence / Earn own living

46. Find your place in the sun

Definition: To achieve success, happiness, and recognition in life.

Used in a Sentence: After years of hard work, she finally found her place in the sun. / Everyone hopes to find their place in the sun as they grow up.

Similar Expressions: Achieve success / Find happiness

47. Expand your horizons

Definition: To learn new things and gain a broader view of the world.

Used in a Sentence: Traveling to other countries helps expand your horizons. / Reading books from different cultures is a great way to expand your horizons.

Similar Expressions: Broaden perspective / Learn more

48. Find your identity

Definition: To discover who you are as a unique person during adolescence.

Used in a Sentence: High school art and music classes help students find their identity. / Exploring different hobbies is part of trying to find your identity.

Similar Expressions: Discover oneself / Form personality

49. Find your footing in society

Definition: To become a contributing and stable member of the community.

Used in a Sentence: Doing community service helps young adults find their footing in society. / Getting a stable job helps you find your footing in society.

Similar Expressions: Integrate into society / Gain community stability

50. Mature with grace

Definition: To grow older calmly, wisely, and with a kind attitude.

Used in a Sentence: My grandmother taught me how to age and mature with grace. / Handling disappointments helps you mature with grace.

Similar Expressions: Age gracefully / Grow wisely

Exercise to Practice

1. Leaving for middle school gave her a chance to spread her wings and make new friends.
2. My little brother ate so much dinner that he decided to climb a tree in the yard.
3. Voting in elections happens when citizens finally come of age.
4. On my first day at the job, I was a bit wet behind the ears with no experience.
5. Moving to college meant he finally had to cut the apron strings.
6. After getting a summer job, she learned how to stand on her own two feet.
7. After studying harder, Leo began to turn a corner in his math grades.
8. The senior club president decided to pass the torch by throwing it in the river.
9. Missing a few shots in basketball is just part of the growing pains of a new team.
10. It took me a week to learn the ropes of managing my locker.
11. He cut his teeth writing short articles for the school newspaper.
12. Once she joined the art club, she really began to come into her own.
13. Every summer I seem to outgrow my clothes and need new shoes.
14. Having to help care for his younger siblings made him grow up fast.
15. Moving into a dorm meant he had to cast off childish things.

Answer Key

1. True
2. False
3. True
4. True
5. True
6. True
7. True
8. False
9. True
10. True
11. True
12. True
13. True
14. True
15. True

Conclusion

Learning these idioms helps students make their speaking and writing much more colorful and descriptive. When you know what these phrases mean, you can understand stories and life discussions about growing up much better.

Try using one or two of these new expressions when you talk about getting older or write your next school story. You will see how fun it is to bring your everyday English to life!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common idioms for growing up?

Some popular idioms for growing up include spread your wings for gaining independence, wet behind the ears for being inexperienced, and cut the apron strings for relying less on parents. These expressions make stories about maturation much more engaging.

Why do we use idioms in English?

Idioms add personality, humor, and color to our speech and writing. Instead of using plain words, people use idioms to paint a fun mental picture for the listener or reader.

How can kids learn idioms easily?

Kids can learn idioms best by reading fun stories, connecting the phrases to everyday situations, and practicing them in sentences. Using them during games and writing exercises helps them stick in your memory.

Can an idiom mean what the words literally say?

No, idioms have a special figurative meaning that is different from the literal definition of the individual words. For example, spreading your wings does not mean growing feathers; it means becoming independent.

Are idioms difficult for beginners to learn?

Idioms can seem tricky at first because their meanings are hidden, but they become easy and fun once you practice them in sentences. Learning them in small groups helps children build confidence quickly.