60 Idioms for Growing Up

Idioms are fun phrases where the words together mean something totally different from what they say one by one. People use them to make talking and writing more colorful, exciting, and full of life. Today, you are going to learn a bunch of helpful idioms that all have to do with growing up and getting older.

In this lesson, we’ll look at idioms for growing up that mean maturing, getting taller, and changing over time. Let’s get started and explore some of these helpful expressions.

Idioms for Growing Up

1. Spread your wings

Meaning: To grow up, become independent, and try new experiences on your own.

For Example: Graduating from school gives young adults the chance to spread your wings. / She was ready to spread your wings and move to a new city for college.

Other Ways to Say: Become independent / Try new things

2. Grow like a weed

Meaning: To grow taller and larger very quickly over a short period of time.

For Example: My little brother ate so much food that he seemed to grow like a weed this year. / Look at your new shoes, you grow like a weed every single month.

Other Ways to Say: Grow fast / Shoot up quickly

3. Outgrow your clothes

Meaning: Becoming too big for your shirts and pants because you grew taller.

For Example: Mom had to buy new shirts because I managed to outgrow your clothes so fast. / Passing down shoes happens when younger siblings outgrow your clothes.

Other Ways to Say: Get too big / Grow larger

4. Come of age

Meaning: Reaching the legal age of adulthood or maturing into a responsible person.

For Example: The young prince celebrated his birthday to show he had finally come of age. / Learning to manage your own schedule means you have come of age.

Other Ways to Say: Reach adulthood / Mature

5. Cut the apron strings

Meaning: To stop relying on your parents and become fully independent.

For Example: Moving into your own apartment means it is time to cut the apron strings. / He learned how to cook and do laundry to cut the apron strings.

Other Ways to Say: Become independent / Leave home

6. Leave the nest

Meaning: Moving out of your parents’ house to start your own adult life.

For Example: The oldest sibling felt ready to leave the nest and attend college. / Young birds fly away, just like children who leave the nest.

Other Ways to Say: Move out / Become independent

7. Stand on your own two feet

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

For Example: Getting a steady job allowed him to stand on his own two feet. / Parents want their children to learn how to stand on his own two feet.

Other Ways to Say: Be independent / Support yourself

8. Turn a corner

Meaning: To pass a difficult stage in life and start maturing successfully.

For Example: After a rocky start in middle school, he finally seemed to turn a corner. / Working hard on homework helped her turn a corner in her studies.

Other Ways to Say: Improve / Mature

9. Wet behind the ears

Meaning: Being very young, inexperienced, and naive about the real world.

For Example: When I started my first part-time job, I felt a bit wet behind the ears. / Don’t worry about making mistakes when you are still wet behind the ears.

Other Ways to Say: Inexperienced / Novice

10. Know the ropes

Meaning: To understand how things work after gaining experience growing up.

For Example: After working at the library for a month, she finally began to know the ropes. / Older students help new kids know the ropes on the first day.

Other Ways to Say: Understand how things work / Be experienced

11. Learn your lesson

Meaning: To gain wisdom and maturity after making a mistake.

For Example: Touching the hot stove once helped him learn his lesson quickly. / Forgetting your jacket teaches you to learn your lesson about cold weather.

Other Ways to Say: Gain wisdom / Understand error

12. Turn over a new leaf

Meaning: To make a fresh start and change your behavior for the better.

For Example: After getting a warning about talking in class, he decided to turn over a new leaf. / Every new school year gives us a chance to turn over a new leaf.

Other Ways to Say: Make a fresh start / Change habits

13. Put childish things behind you

Meaning: To stop acting like a little kid and start maturing into a young adult.

For Example: Growing up means you eventually put childish things behind you. / He packed away his baby toys to put childish things behind you.

Other Ways to Say: Mature / Grow up

14. Find your footing

Meaning: To feel comfortable and confident in a new phase of life.

For Example: Changing schools is tough at first until you finally find your footing. / It takes a few weeks in high school to find your footing.

Other Ways to Say: Adjust / Feel confident

15. Hit your stride

Meaning: To start performing very well and feeling comfortable as you mature.

For Example: After a few weeks of practice, the young athlete began to hit your stride. / She felt nervous in middle school, but now she has hit your stride.

Other Ways to Say: Find your rhythm / Do well

16. Face the music

Meaning: To accept the consequences of your actions as part of growing up.

For Example: When he broke the vase, he knew he had to face the music and tell mom. / Growing up means learning to face the music when you make mistakes.

Other Ways to Say: Accept consequences / Take responsibility

17. Grow up fast

Meaning: Maturing quickly because you faced difficult life experiences.

For Example: Helping take care of his younger siblings made him grow up fast. / Moving to a brand new town can make children grow up fast.

Other Ways to Say: Mature quickly / Age fast

18. Blossom into someone

Meaning: To develop wonderfully into a confident, capable young person.

For Example: The quiet student began to blossom into someone who loved public speaking. / With supportive teachers, children blossom into someone amazing.

Other Ways to Say: Flourish / Develop nicely

19. Come into your own

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

For Example: Joining the art club helped her finally come into your own. / Teenagers often come into your own as they discover their favorite hobbies.

Other Ways to Say: Gain confidence / Flourish

20. Find your voice

Meaning: To learn how to express your thoughts and opinions clearly.

For Example: Participating in debate class helped him find your voice. / Writing poetry is a great way to find your voice.

Other Ways to Say: Express yourself / Speak up

21. Cut your teeth

Meaning: To gain your very first real experience in a skill or job.

For Example: He cut your teeth working on small backyard projects before building furniture. / Writing short stories helped her cut your teeth as an author.

Other Ways to Say: Gain experience / Start learning

22. Learn the hard way

Meaning: Gaining wisdom through making painful mistakes rather than advice.

For Example: Leaving my homework at home taught me to learn the hard way. / Sometimes teenagers have to learn the hard way about saving money.

Other Ways to Say: Gain harsh experience / Learn from mistakes

23. Wisdom comes with age

Meaning: A saying meaning older people know more because of life experience.

For Example: Grandpa always gave great advice, proving that wisdom comes with age. / Making mistakes helps us realize that wisdom comes with age.

Other Ways to Say: Older and wiser / Gain knowledge

24. Older and wiser

Meaning: Having gained more knowledge and maturity after experiencing life.

For Example: Looking back at my old drawings made me feel older and wiser. / After passing middle school, we felt older and wiser.

Other Ways to Say: More mature / Wiser

25. Behind the ears

Meaning: Referring to how experienced or inexperienced a young person is.

For Example: He was still a bit green behind the ears when he joined the team. / Experience teaches you not to be wet behind the ears.

Other Ways to Say: Inexperienced / Young

26. Make your own way

Meaning: To chart your own path in life without relying on others.

For Example: After college, she was ready to make your own way in the business world. / Setting your own goals helps you make your own way.

Other Ways to Say: Be independent / Choose your path

27. Forge your own path

Meaning: To create a unique future for yourself through hard work.

For Example: Do not just copy others; forge your own path in your career. / Writing music allowed him to forge your own path.

Other Ways to Say: Create your destiny / Be unique

28. Carve out a niche

Meaning: To find a special area of life or career where you fit perfectly.

For Example: She took art classes to carve out a niche in graphic design. / Finding your favorite hobby helps you carve out a niche.

Other Ways to Say: Find your place / Specialize

29. Test the waters

Meaning: To try out a new activity or phase of life cautiously.

For Example: Before joining the club, she attended one meeting to test the waters. / Taking an art elective lets you test the waters before majoring in it.

Other Ways to Say: Try out / Experiment

30. Take the plunge

Meaning: To commit fully to a major new step in growing up.

For Example: Moving away to college means you finally take the plunge into adulthood. / He decided to take the plunge and run for class president.

Other Ways to Say: Commit / Jump in

31. Branch out

Meaning: To try new hobbies, friends, and experiences as you mature.

For Example: High school is a great time to branch out and join different clubs. / She wanted to branch out from painting and try photography.

Other Ways to Say: Expand horizons / Try new things

32. Spread your roots

Meaning: To settle down in a community and build a stable life.

For Example: After traveling for years, they decided to spread your roots in this town. / Buying a home lets a family spread your roots.

Other Ways to Say: Settle down / Establish home

33. Hit a milestone

Meaning: To reach an important age or achievement in growing up.

For Example: Turning sixteen is a major milestone for teenagers learning to drive. / Graduating middle school is a wonderful milestone to celebrate.

Other Ways to Say: Reach a goal / Important marker

34. Turn a new page

Meaning: To start a fresh chapter in your life as you mature.

For Example: Leaving elementary school means you turn a new page in your education. / Every birthday lets you turn a new page.

Other Ways to Say: Start fresh / Begin anew

35. Grow out of it

Meaning: To stop doing childish habits or behaviors as you get older.

For Example: He used to be afraid of the dark, but he managed to grow out of it. / Younger kids might throw tantrums, but they usually grow out of it.

Other Ways to Say: Stop childish habits / Mature past

36. Rise to the occasion

Meaning: To handle new adult responsibilities bravely and successfully.

For Example: When the older students left, he had to rise to the occasion and lead. / Teenagers often rise to the occasion when given important tasks.

Other Ways to Say: Step up / Handle responsibility

37. Step up to the plate

Meaning: To take responsibility and do what is needed as you mature.

For Example: Helping your family with chores means you step up to the plate. / It is time to step up to the plate and plan your own project.

Other Ways to Say: Take responsibility / Act mature

38. Take charge

Meaning: To become a leader and manage a situation independently.

For Example: Older siblings often learn to take charge when parents are busy. / She decided to take charge of the group art project.

Other Ways to Say: Lead / Manage

39. Learn the hard knocks way

Meaning: Gaining wisdom through difficult life challenges and bumps.

For Example: Life taught him valuable lessons through the school of hard knocks. / Overcoming failure gives you wisdom from hard knocks.

Other Ways to Say: Tough lessons / Hard experience

40. Growing pains

Meaning: The physical aches of growing taller or the emotional stress of maturing.

For Example: My legs hurt at night because I am experiencing growing pains. / Adjusting to new school rules brings normal emotional growing pains.

Other Ways to Say: Growing ache / Maturing stress

41. Come of age professionally

Meaning: To become a skilled and respected worker in your career.

For Example: After years of practice, the young coder began to come of age professionally. / Designing her first building helped the architect come of age professionally.

Other Ways to Say: Become established / Mature in work

42. Cutting your apron strings fully

Meaning: Completely separating your daily life from parental dependence.

For Example: Moving across the country meant cutting your apron strings fully. / Paying your own bills is cutting your apron strings fully.

Other Ways to Say: Total independence / Leaving home

43. Adulting

Meaning: A modern slang term used to describe doing boring grown-up tasks.

For Example: Paying electric bills and doing taxes is what we call adulting. / Cleaning the entire house on a Saturday feels like hard adulting.

Other Ways to Say: Acting grown-up / Doing chores

44. Growing tall like a pine

Meaning: Growing up straight, strong, and tall over the years.

For Example: He practiced basketball daily and kept growing tall like a pine. / Healthy nutrition helps children keep growing tall like a pine.

Other Ways to Say: Shoot up / Grow tall

45. Entering adulthood

Meaning: The official life stage of becoming a responsible grown-up.

For Example: Graduating college marks the official moment of entering adulthood. / Voting in elections is part of entering adulthood.

Other Ways to Say: Becoming an adult / Maturing

46. Finding your own way

Meaning: Navigating life choices independently without direct guidance.

For Example: Moving to a new city means finding your own way around streets. / Making career choices is all about finding your own way.

Other Ways to Say: Navigate independently / Choose path

47. Maturing like fine wine

Meaning: Becoming wiser, smarter, and better as you grow older.

For Example: People often say that humans keep maturing like fine wine with age. / He gained better judgment, maturing like fine wine.

Other Ways to Say: Get better with age / Grow wiser

48. Shaping your character

Meaning: Developing your personal morals and personality as you grow.

For Example: Overcoming challenges in sports is great for shaping your character. / Reading books and helping others helps in shaping your character.

Other Ways to Say: Build personality / Develop morals

49. Finding your feet

Meaning: Becoming steady and confident during a new life transition.

For Example: Starting a new school takes time for finding your feet. / She spent the first month finding your feet in the office.

Other Ways to Say: Adjust / Gain confidence

50. Taking off the training wheels

Meaning: Stopping reliance on easy help and facing bigger challenges.

For Example: Moving to advanced math classes feels like taking off the training wheels. / Writing essays without an outline is like taking off the training wheels.

Other Ways to Say: Remove support / Face real challenges

51. Turning a new leaf in life

Meaning: Starting a completely fresh phase of maturity and responsibility.

For Example: Moving to college meant turning a new leaf in life for him. / Leaving bad habits behind is like turning a new leaf in life.

Other Ways to Say: Fresh start / New chapter

52. Leaving childhood behind

Meaning: Saying goodbye to early toys and games to enter youth.

For Example: Packing up old action figures meant leaving childhood behind. / Growing up naturally involves leaving childhood behind.

Other Ways to Say: Grow up / Mature

53. Entering the teenage years

Meaning: Reaching the age of thirteen and starting adolescence.

For Example: She felt very excited about entering the teenage years. / Responsibilities increase when you are entering the teenage years.

Other Ways to Say: Reach adolescence / Turn thirteen

54. Gaining life experience

Meaning: Accumulating wisdom through actual living and trying things.

For Example: Traveling and meeting new people helps with gaining life experience. / Mistakes are just part of gaining life experience.

Other Ways to Say: Learn from life / Gain wisdom

55. Finding your passion

Meaning: Discovering the activity or career you love most while growing up.

For Example: Trying piano lessons helped him find your passion in music. / High school helps students explore and find your passion.

Other Ways to Say: Discover interests / Find calling

56. Building a future

Meaning: Working hard in school and jobs to prepare for adult life.

For Example: Studying algebra and reading books is all about building a future. / Saving money helps young adults in building a future.

Other Ways to Say: Prepare for life / Plan ahead

57. Sprouting up

Meaning: Growing taller very quickly during your teenage growth spurt.

For Example: He started sprouting up and soon was taller than his parents. / Teenagers often start sprouting up overnight.

Other Ways to Say: Grow tall / Shoot up

58. Becoming your own person

Meaning: Developing independent thoughts, style, and values.

For Example: Choosing your own clothes and hobbies is part of becoming your own person. / She felt proud of becoming your own person in college.

Other Ways to Say: Be independent / Find identity

59. Stepping into the world

Meaning: Leaving school to explore adult life and career adventures.

For Example: Graduation day is all about stepping into the world with confidence. / He packed his bags, ready for stepping into the world.

Other Ways to Say: Start adult life / Begin journey

60. Growing up gracefully

Meaning: Maturing with kindness, calmness, and a positive attitude.

For Example: She handled difficult changes by growing up gracefully. / Learning from mistakes helps children keep growing up gracefully.

Other Ways to Say: Mature well / Age nicely

Exercise to Practice

1. My little brother ate so much food that he seemed to grow like a ________ this year.
2. Mom had to buy new shirts because I managed to ________ your clothes so fast.
3. Moving into your own apartment means it is time to cut the apron ________.
4. After a rocky start in middle school, he finally seemed to turn a ________.
5. When I started my first part-time job, I felt a bit ________ behind the ears.
6. Touching the hot stove once helped him learn his ________ quickly.
7. After getting a warning about talking in class, he decided to turn over a new ________.
8. Changing schools is tough at first until you finally find your ________.
9. When he broke the vase, he knew he had to face the ________ and tell mom.
10. The quiet student began to ________ into someone who loved public speaking.
11. Before joining the club, she attended one meeting to test the ________.
12. High school is a great time to ________ out and join different clubs.
13. My legs hurt at night because I am experiencing growing ________.
14. Packing up old action figures meant leaving childhood ________.
15. Graduation day is all about stepping into the ________ with confidence.

Answer Key

1. weed
2. outgrow
3. strings
4. corner
5. wet
6. lesson
7. leaf
8. footing
9. music
10. blossom
11. waters
12. branch
13. pains
14. behind
15. world

Conclusion

Learning idioms about growing up helps you understand stories, milestone moments, and everyday conversations much better. When you know what these colorful phrases mean, you can use them to describe your own journey of getting older and wiser.

Try using a few of these expressions the next time you talk about getting taller or trying something new. Practicing them out loud is a great way to remember them and make your communication sound awesome.