Growing up is something we all do, little by little. We learn to do things on our own. We get taller, stronger, and start thinking in new ways. As we grow, we hear lots of sayings that talk about this change. These sayings are called idioms. They may sound silly at first, but they have special meanings.
Idioms help us understand big ideas in a fun way. They use simple words to talk about things like growing up, learning, and becoming more grown. In this article, we will look at some idioms about growing up. We will learn what they mean and how to use them in real life.
Idioms about Growing Up
1. Coming of age
Meaning: Becoming older and starting to act more like a grown-up.
To Provide an Example: When Sarah started high school, her mom said, “You’re coming of age now.” / Max made his own lunch and felt like he was coming of age.
Alternative Meaning: You’re starting to take on more things by yourself. / You’re not a little kid anymore.
2. Act your age
Meaning: Stop being silly and behave like someone your age.
To Provide an Example: Mom told Lucas to act his age when he was throwing toys. / “You’re 8 now, act your age,” said his sister.
Alternative Meaning: Be more grown-up. / Don’t act younger than you are.
3. Grow into it
Meaning: You will understand or fit into something better when you’re older.
To Provide an Example: The shoes are too big now, but you’ll grow into them. / She didn’t like reading, but grew into it later.
Alternative Meaning: You’ll get used to it as you grow. / You’ll learn to enjoy it with time.
4. Spread your wings
Meaning: Start doing things on your own.
To Provide an Example: Lily spread her wings and walked to school by herself. / When he made his own breakfast, he was spreading his wings.
Alternative Meaning: Try doing new things alone. / Learn to be independent.
5. Not a baby anymore
Meaning: You’ve grown up and don’t act like a baby.
To Provide an Example: After tying his shoes, he said, “I’m not a baby anymore!” / Her mom smiled and said, “You’re not a baby anymore.”
Alternative Meaning: You’re bigger now. / You can do more by yourself.
6. Big kid now
Meaning: Acting more grown-up.
To Provide an Example: After staying home alone for one hour, he said, “I’m a big kid now.” / She cleaned her room without help like a big kid.
Alternative Meaning: You’re not little anymore. / You’re doing things on your own.
7. Hit a growth spurt
Meaning: Grow taller quickly in a short time.
To Provide an Example: Josh hit a growth spurt and needed new pants. / Mia hit a growth spurt and was taller than her brother.
Alternative Meaning: Getting much bigger all at once. / Fast growing time.
8. Growing pains
Meaning: Feeling sore while growing or having small struggles while learning.
To Provide an Example: My legs hurt at night; Mom says it’s growing pains. / I forgot my homework again just growing pains.
Alternative Meaning: It’s part of learning. / Hard parts while you grow.
9. Old enough to know better
Meaning: You’re too grown-up to make silly mistakes.
To Provide an Example: He hit his brother. Mom said he’s old enough to know better. / “You’re 7,” the teacher said, “you should know better.”
Alternative Meaning: Be more careful. / You’re smart enough now.
10. On your own two feet
Meaning: Doing things without help.
To Provide an Example: She started packing her lunch on her own two feet now. / He walked to the bus stop without Dad.
Alternative Meaning: You can handle things. / Being more grown-up.
11. Grow out of it
Meaning: Stop doing something as you get older.
To Provide an Example: She used to suck her thumb, but grew out of it. / He liked toy trains, but now he’s grown out of them.
Alternative Meaning: You don’t do baby things anymore. / Your likes can change.
12. Wise beyond your years
Meaning: You act older or smarter than your age.
To Provide an Example: “You speak like an adult,” said Grandma, “you’re wise beyond your years.” / He helps others like he’s much older.
Alternative Meaning: You’re thoughtful for your age. / You think like a grown-up.
13. A chip off the old block
Meaning: You are a lot like your parent.
To Provide an Example: He fixes things like his dad. He’s a chip off the old block. / She tells jokes like her mom.
Alternative Meaning: You’re very much like your parent. / You follow in their steps.
14. Step into their shoes
Meaning: Take on someone else’s role or job.
To Provide an Example: When Mom was away, I stepped into her shoes and helped Dad. / He fed the dog like his brother used to.
Alternative Meaning: Fill someone’s place. / Try doing what they do.
15. Learn the ropes
Meaning: Learn how things work.
To Provide an Example: At his new school, Jake is learning the ropes. / I helped her with her first science project she’s still learning the ropes.
Alternative Meaning: Just getting the hang of it. / Finding out how to do stuff.
16. Turn the page
Meaning: Start a new part of life.
To Provide an Example: She turned the page after moving to a new house. / After switching schools, he turned the page.
Alternative Meaning: Move on to something new. / Start fresh.
17. Time flies
Meaning: Time goes by very fast.
To Provide an Example: “You’re already 8? Time flies,” said Aunt May. / I feel like summer just started. Time flies.
Alternative Meaning: Time moves quickly. / You grow faster than we think.
18. Find your voice
Meaning: Learn to speak up and share your thoughts.
To Provide an Example: She found her voice in class and read out loud. / He used to be shy but found his voice at camp.
Alternative Meaning: You’re learning to speak for yourself. / You feel more brave now.
19. Baby steps
Meaning: Start slowly and keep learning bit by bit.
To Provide an Example: He’s taking baby steps to learn the piano. / We’re using baby steps to tie our shoes.
Alternative Meaning: Take your time. / Start small, grow big.
20. Break out of your shell
Meaning: Stop being shy and open up.
To Provide an Example: She broke out of her shell and made a new friend. / He broke out of his shell at the birthday party.
Alternative Meaning: Feel more free to talk. / Be less shy.
21. Blossom into
Meaning: Grow and change into something better.
To Provide an Example: She blossomed into a great artist. / He blossomed into a good helper.
Alternative Meaning: Grow and shine. / Become your best self.
22. Make your mark
Meaning: Do something others will remember.
To Provide an Example: He made his mark by winning the art contest. / She made her mark as class helper.
Alternative Meaning: Do something special. / Be remembered.
23. Turn over a new leaf
Meaning: Start acting better than before.
To Provide an Example: After getting in trouble, he turned over a new leaf. / She stopped being mean and turned over a new leaf.
Alternative Meaning: Start fresh with better choices. / Be kinder or smarter.
24. Earn your stripes
Meaning: Work hard and show you can do something.
To Provide an Example: He earned his stripes by doing chores every day. / She earned her stripes by helping her teacher.
Alternative Meaning: You proved yourself. / You worked for it.
25. Skin of your teeth
Meaning: Just barely made it.
To Provide an Example: He caught the bus by the skin of his teeth. / I passed the quiz by the skin of my teeth.
Alternative Meaning: Just in time. / Almost missed it.
26. Growing like a weed
Meaning: Growing very fast.
To Provide an Example: “You’re growing like a weed!” Grandpa said. / Her pants are too short she’s growing like a weed.
Alternative Meaning: You got big quickly. / Fast changes.
27. Come a long way
Meaning: You’ve made a lot of progress.
To Provide an Example: She came a long way from not reading to reading books. / He came a long way from being shy.
Alternative Meaning: Big improvements. / You’ve grown a lot.
28. Build character
Meaning: Learn to be a better person.
To Provide an Example: Cleaning up after spilling helps build character. / Sharing with friends builds character.
Alternative Meaning: Helps you grow inside. / Makes you kinder and stronger.
29. A late bloomer
Meaning: Someone who learns or grows slower, but still does great.
To Provide an Example: He learned to read later but is a late bloomer. / She didn’t like math, but became good at it.
Alternative Meaning: You’ll shine in your time. / Everyone grows in their own way.
30. Put away childish things
Meaning: Stop doing things that are for younger kids.
To Provide an Example: He put away childish things and stopped whining. / She stopped throwing fits and acted older.
Alternative Meaning: Be more grown-up. / Don’t act like a baby.
31. Walk before you run
Meaning: Learn the basics before trying something hard.
To Provide an Example: You need to walk before you run with math. / She learned letters before writing words.
Alternative Meaning: Take things step by step. / Start with small things first.
32. Old soul
Meaning: A young person who acts very grown-up.
To Provide an Example: She reads poems and thinks deeply she’s an old soul. / He likes quiet talks, not cartoons.
Alternative Meaning: You think like an adult. / You act calm and wise.
33. Eyes wide open
Meaning: Be ready to learn and notice things.
To Provide an Example: Going to a new school, she had her eyes wide open. / He started 3rd grade with eyes wide open.
Alternative Meaning: Be ready to learn. / Watch and listen closely.
34. Big shoes to fill
Meaning: Try to do as well as someone else who did a good job.
To Provide an Example: His brother was the best reader. That’s big shoes to fill. / She’s the new line leader. Big shoes to fill!
Alternative Meaning: Try your best. / Keep up the good work others did.
35. Grow a backbone
Meaning: Learn to stand up for yourself.
To Provide an Example: She told the bully to stop she grew a backbone. / He said no when it wasn’t fair.
Alternative Meaning: Be brave. / Don’t be afraid to speak up.
36. New kid on the block
Meaning: Someone new to a place or group.
To Provide an Example: He’s the new kid on the block at school. / She just moved in new kid on the block!
Alternative Meaning: Just got here. / Someone who’s still learning the place.
37. Learn the hard way
Meaning: Learn by making a mistake.
To Provide an Example: He didn’t study and failed. He learned the hard way. / She forgot her lunch. That’s how she learned.
Alternative Meaning: Make a mistake, then learn. / Figure it out the tough way.
38. Face the music
Meaning: Accept the result of what you did.
To Provide an Example: He broke the toy and had to face the music. / She didn’t clean up and faced the music.
Alternative Meaning: Deal with it. / Take responsibility.
39. All grown up
Meaning: You’ve become older and more mature.
To Provide an Example: He dressed himself he’s all grown up! / She helped the baby she’s all grown up now.
Alternative Meaning: You’re acting big now. / Not a little kid anymore.
40. Look up to
Meaning: Admire and want to be like someone.
To Provide an Example: She looks up to her older sister. / He looks up to his coach.
Alternative Meaning: Someone you admire. / Someone who sets a good example.
41. Write your own story
Meaning: Make your own choices as you grow.
To Provide an Example: She picked art club. She’s writing her own story. / He chose to be kind every day.
Alternative Meaning: Make your own path. / Decide who you want to be.
42. Take the next step
Meaning: Move forward with something new.
To Provide an Example: Going to 3rd grade is the next step. / Trying out for the team was his next step.
Alternative Meaning: Move forward. / Try the next thing.
43. Raise the bar
Meaning: Do even better than before.
To Provide an Example: She raised the bar by learning two new songs. / He raised the bar with neat handwriting.
Alternative Meaning: Do your best. / Go one step higher.
44. Take baby steps
Meaning: Go slow and steady.
To Provide an Example: He took baby steps learning to swim. / She took baby steps with her new class.
Alternative Meaning: Small progress is okay. / Keep moving forward slowly.
45. Grow a thick skin
Meaning: Don’t get upset too easily.
To Provide an Example: She grew a thick skin when teased. / He didn’t cry when he lost the game.
Alternative Meaning: Stay strong. / Don’t let things bother you too much.
46. Come into your own
Meaning: Become confident and good at what you do.
To Provide an Example: She came into her own as a writer. / He came into his own on the soccer field.
Alternative Meaning: Find your talent. / Feel proud of what you can do.
47. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree
Meaning: Kids often act like their parents.
To Provide an Example: She loves books just like Mom the apple doesn’t fall far! / He laughs like Dad.
Alternative Meaning: You’re like your family. / Traits pass down.
48. Pick up steam
Meaning: Get better or faster over time.
To Provide an Example: His reading picked up steam in spring. / She picked up steam in math class.
Alternative Meaning: Keep improving. / You’re getting stronger.
49. Grow into your name
Meaning: Become the kind of person your name reminds people of.
To Provide an Example: He’s named after Grandpa. He’s growing into his name. / She’s kind like her aunt growing into her name.
Alternative Meaning: Be someone special. / Act in a way people respect.
50. A big step
Meaning: An important thing that shows you’re growing.
To Provide an Example: Riding the school bus alone was a big step. / She had her first sleepover. That was a big step!
Alternative Meaning: Doing something new. / Shows you’re getting braver.
Trials for Success: Idioms about Growing Up
- When I packed my own lunch, Mom said I was ready to __________.
- Emma used to cry at bedtime, but she __________ that.
- After missing the school bus, Jake had to __________ and tell the truth.
- My little brother is __________ he needs new shoes every month!
- When I finally tied my shoes by myself, I felt like I was __________.
- Sam shared his crayons with everyone. The teacher said he __________.
- I forgot my backpack again. Dad said I need to learn __________.
- Sarah was scared at first, but she __________ and joined the game.
- After turning 8, my sister told me to __________ and stop whining.
- When I asked questions in class, my teacher said I was __________.
- I didn’t study for the quiz and had to __________.
- Grandpa said I’m a __________ because I read chapter books already.
- When Max helped his little sister, he was __________.
- I was nervous about the spelling test, but I took __________ and did it.
- We just moved to a new neighborhood, so I feel like the __________.
Answers
- stand on my own two feet
- grew out of
- face the music
- growing like a weed
- all grown up
- building character
- the hard way
- broke out of her shell
- act my age
- finding my voice
- learn the hard way
- old soul
- coming of age
- a big step
- new kid on the block
Conclusion
Growing up can feel big and sometimes tricky. But these idioms help us talk about it in fun and simple ways. They remind us that learning, trying, and even making mistakes are all part of getting older.
As we change, we also become stronger and kinder. These sayings show that every step small or big matters. Keep learning and keep growing, one day at a time.
