grow out of something

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "grow out of something" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe the process of maturing or evolving beyond a particular situation, behavior, or interest. Example: "As she got older, she began to grow out of her childhood fears and insecurities."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

"I would never want our scene to grow out of something tragic," says Rotella. "But all that media attention was something that opened people's eyes to how big this scene was getting.

The Guardian - Music

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The company says that almost half of all Instagram captions now feature emoji, too, so this was definitely something that grew out of community use habits.  .

TechCrunch

1. Don't dismiss anxiety as if it is something "they'll grow out of". 2. Discuss a child's fears and worries and consider professional help if talking together doesn't diminish them.

HuffPost

"Addiction grows out of something," Thornton said.

The Washington Post

Terror grows out of something larger -- an enormous wave of political extremism.

The New York Times

Modern Mad Max capitalism has been around a while, decades even, growing out of something like old-fashioned self-reliance, political beliefs and post-Apocalyptic visions.

The New York Times

The idea for the novel, Obioma says, grew out of something he witnessed when he was himself a student in northern Cyprus.

The Guardian - Books

"Huff" grew out of something his therapist once said: "Most people don't wake up until they learn they're going to die".

The New York Times

But there was a sense that we felt that if the magic grew out of something very real looking, it was in some ways going to be all the more extraordinary.

The New York Times

In court many months later, Jennifer Martin was asked if she'd eventually learned that the offending message had not, in fact, been sent by Aaron — it had grown out of something said on a MySpace account set up in Aaron's name as a prank — and she answered in the affirmative.

The New Yorker

The night was soft; the stars and the moon were bright; the grass in the bowl was impossibly green, as if it were growing out of something far richer than dirt; the stadium lights did not destroy the colors and shadows of evening yet illuminated the turf so well that individual blades of grass could be seen.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "grow out of something" to describe a natural progression or development that leads to abandoning a habit, interest, or belief. Be mindful of the context to ensure it accurately reflects the intended meaning of maturation or change.

Common error

Avoid using "grow out of something" when you actually mean "overcome something". "Growing out of" implies a natural, often passive process of maturation, while "overcoming" suggests a deliberate effort to conquer a challenge. Using the wrong phrase can misrepresent the situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "grow out of something" functions as a prepositional phrase, often acting as part of a verb phrase to indicate a process of maturation or development beyond a specific state, interest, or habit. Ludwig AI highlights this through various examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Wiki

20%

Books

15%

Less common in

Academia

10%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "grow out of something" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression that describes a natural process of maturing or evolving beyond a specific state, interest, or habit. As Ludwig AI's analysis shows, it's versatile and appears across various contexts, from news and media to personal narratives. While the phrase is generally neutral, it's important to distinguish its meaning from similar phrases like "overcome something", which implies a more active and deliberate effort. By understanding these nuances, writers can effectively use "grow out of something" to convey the intended meaning of natural progression and change.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outgrow something

Implies exceeding the limits or relevance of something due to development or change.

move beyond something

Suggests progressing past a particular stage or issue, often with intention.

evolve past something

Emphasizes a gradual development away from a former state or condition.

mature beyond something

Highlights the attainment of a higher level of development, leaving something behind.

overcome something

Focuses on successfully dealing with and moving past a challenge or obstacle.

rise above something

Indicates transcending a negative situation or limitation through personal growth.

leave something behind

Implies a conscious decision to abandon or move on from a particular aspect of life.

surpass something

Suggests exceeding a certain standard or level, rendering the previous state irrelevant.

graduate from something

Conveys the completion of a phase or experience, and advancement to a new level.

distance oneself from something

Highlights a deliberate effort to create emotional or physical separation from a situation or belief.

FAQs

How can I use "grow out of something" in a sentence?

You can use "grow out of something" to describe the process of maturing or evolving beyond a particular interest, habit, or behavior. For example, "Many children eventually "grow out of" their imaginary friends."

What does it mean to "grow out of something"?

To "grow out of something" means to mature or develop beyond it, often implying that it is no longer relevant or important to you. It suggests a natural progression rather than a deliberate effort.

Is it correct to say someone has "grown out of something"?

Yes, it is correct. The phrase "grow out of something" is a common and accepted idiom in English. It is often used to describe changes in interests, habits, or behaviors over time.

What are some alternatives to "grow out of something"?

Alternatives to "grow out of something" include phrases like "outgrow", "move beyond", or "evolve past", depending on the context. These alternatives convey a similar sense of progressing or developing beyond a particular stage.