all grown up

USAGE SUMMARY

"all grown up" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who has matured or progressed in some way, or has reached a certain age. For example: "My little brother is all grown up now; he's graduated from college and is working in a new job."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

HuffPost

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Our Andy's all grown up!

The Guardian - Sport

Our little man's all grown up".

The Guardian - Music

We're all grown up now.

Independent

He's all grown up!

The Guardian - Sport

"You're all grown up!

The New Yorker

"I'm all grown up".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

We all grew up together".

The New Yorker

They all grew up in that garden.

The New York Times

He helped us all grow up".

The New York Times - Sports

"We all grew up wearing Timex".

The New York Times

"We all grew up as kids snowboarding.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "all grown up" to express surprise or感慨 at someone's visible maturity, especially when recalling their younger years. It is best used in informal settings or when addressing someone you know well.

Common error

Avoid using "all grown up" in professional or academic writing. It's generally too informal and can sound out of place. Opt for more neutral terms like "matured" or "reached adulthood" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "all grown up" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, typically used predicatively. It often expresses a degree of surprise or感慨, indicating that someone has reached adulthood or matured considerably. Ludwig provides numerous examples showcasing this usage, like 'Our Andy's all grown up!' or 'You're all grown up now.'

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Wiki

15%

HuffPost

10%

Less common in

Forbes

3%

Vice

2%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "all grown up" is a common and correct adjective phrase that describes someone who has matured or reached adulthood. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides numerous examples of its usage in informal contexts, typically expressing感慨 or surprise. While versatile, it's best suited for informal settings and should be avoided in more formal writing, where alternatives like "reached maturity" may be more appropriate. Key sources like The Guardian, The New Yorker, and The New York Times demonstrate its frequent use in diverse media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fully matured

Emphasizes the completion of the maturation process.

reached adulthood

Highlights the attainment of adult status.

come of age

Focuses on reaching a significant stage of maturity and responsibility.

no longer a child

Directly contrasts the current state with a previous state of being a child.

developed fully

Stresses complete development, both physically and emotionally.

become an adult

Highlights the transformation into an adult.

outgrown childhood

Focuses on the past state of childhood being left behind.

attained maturity

Emphasizes the achievement of a mature state.

grown into adulthood

Highlights the gradual process of becoming an adult.

reached full bloom

Metaphorically suggests reaching a peak of development, similar to a flower.

FAQs

How can I use "all grown up" in a sentence?

You can use "all grown up" to express that someone has matured or reached adulthood. For example, "My little sister is "all grown up" now; she's graduating from college."

What's a more formal way to say "all grown up"?

More formal alternatives to "all grown up" include phrases like "reached maturity", "become an adult", or "fully matured", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to say "all grown up" to someone I haven't seen in a long time?

Yes, saying "all grown up" is often a warm and friendly way to acknowledge how someone has changed over time. However, consider your relationship with the person and the context to ensure it's well-received. It is most suited for people you know well.

Can "all grown up" be used for things other than people?

While primarily used to describe people, "all grown up" can be used metaphorically for other things that have matured or developed. For example, "The company is "all grown up" now, with offices around the world."