All phrasal verbs
grow
/ɡroʊ/4 phrasal verbsThe plain verb means to increase in size or develop.
Grow up is to become an adult. Grow out of is to become too big for something — clothes, or a childhood habit — and grow into is the opposite, to become big enough for it.
GROW ends in a vowel, so the /w/ glide appears: grow up is “grow-wup”.
Side by side
Every GROW phrasal verb, with the one line that keeps it apart from its siblings. Tap any one to open it.
| Phrasal verb | Means | How to remember it |
|---|---|---|
| grow upNo object2 meanings | become an adult; behave maturely | UP = toward adulthood. |
| grow out ofInseparable2 meanings | become too big or too old for something | OUT OF = you no longer fit inside it. |
| grow intoInseparable2 meanings | become big enough for; settle into a role | INTO = you expand to fill it. |
| grow apartNo object | gradually become emotionally distant | APART = the two of you separate over time. |