grow out of sth

Idioms are generally defined as groups of words that form a meaningful whole when they come together, even though the words in them do not make sense on their own. They have produced many idioms according to their own cultural characteristics in communities using the English language. What does grow out of sth mean? In what situations is grow out of sth used?

Meaning of "grow out of sth"

Meaning

The phrase ‘grow out of sth’ is an idiom that is used to refer to the process of outgrowing something, either literaly or figuratively. The phrase is often used in reference to children growing older, out of their clothes or out of behavioral patterns. It is also used to refer to positive changes, such as someone gaining experience, wisdom and perspective over time.

Etymology

The phrase ‘grow out of’ has been used since the 16th century to indicate the process of outgrowing or outliving something. Its earliest uses, according to the Oxford English Dictionary, appear in a 1565 text entitled The Politie of Health. The phrase appears in various forms throughout the centuries and has been included in many dictionaries since the 19th century.

Usage

The phrase ‘grow out of sth’ is used to indicate the process of outgrowing or outliving something. It is often used in reference to children growing older, out of their clothes or out of certain behaviors. It can also be used to refer to positive changes in an individual, such as gaining experience, wisdom and perspective over time. The phrase is usually used in the present progressive tense to indicate something that is ongoing and still happening: “He is growing out of his clothes.”

Example Sentences

• My son is growing out of his clothes faster than I can keep up with.
• She's growing out of her childish habits.
• He's starting to grow out of his rebellious phase.
• She's getting more experienced and wise, she's really growing out of her naivety.

Beyond the Literal: Figurative Language in Idioms

Idioms often use figurative language to convey a message that is not meant to be taken literally. For instance, the idiom "bite the bullet" means to endure a painful or difficult situation without complaint, while "hold your horses" means to be patient and wait. Other idioms, like "kick the bucket" or "pop your clogs," use euphemisms to talk about death.