Grow Out of Something: Meaning, Usage, and Examples

What Does "Grow Out of Something" Mean? 

The phrase "grow out of something" is one of those handy expressions that you’ll hear a lot in everyday English. It means either to stop doing something as you get older or to become too big for something—like clothes or toys. It's often used when we talk about things we did as kids or things that were once useful but no longer fit into our lives.

Key Meanings:

1. To stop a habit or behavior as you mature
   As you grow older, you might find yourself "growing out of" things like playing with toys, certain behaviors, or even attitudes. For example, maybe you used to have a habit of biting your nails, but as you got older, you grew out of it.

2. To become too big for clothes or objects
   Kids especially "grow out of" their clothes quickly! It's not just about physical growth, though—sometimes, we grow out of things we used to enjoy, like a favorite stuffed animal or a game that seemed fun when we were younger.

Examples in Real Life:

• Growing out of a habit: "I used to stay up late watching TV every night, but I’ve kind of grown out of it as I’ve gotten older."

• Growing out of clothes: "I can’t believe how fast my daughter is growing! She’s already grown out of all her summer clothes."

It's a super useful phrase when you're talking about change—whether it's physical growth, maturity, or just evolving interests. It’s one of those phrases that makes your English sound more natural and expressive!

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1. Growing Out of Habits or Behaviors

Example Sentences:

• "He used to throw tantrums as a child, but he grew out of it." (He stopped throwing tantrums as he got older.)
• "She was very shy in school, but she grew out of her shyness in college." (She became more confident as she matured.)
• "Many children stutter when they are young, but they often grow out of it." (Their speech improves as they grow up.)

Usage in Real Life:

• Parents often use this phrase when they believe a child will stop a certain behavior over time.
• It can also be used for emotional or psychological growth.

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2. Growing Out of Clothes or Objects

Example Sentences: 

• "Don’t buy expensive clothes for toddlers—they will grow out of them quickly." (Children grow fast, so they won’t fit in them for long.)
• "I loved my childhood bed, but I grew out of it by the time I was ten." (I became too big for the bed.)
• "She has outgrown her old bike and needs a bigger one." (She is too big to use her old bike now.)

Usage in Real Life:

• This phrase is commonly used when talking about children’s clothes and toys.
• It can also describe emotional or intellectual growth (e.g., "He has outgrown his old beliefs.")

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3. Growing Out of Relationships or Interests

Example Sentences:

• "We used to be best friends, but we grew out of each other." (We changed and became different people.)
• "She loved playing with dolls, but she grew out of it as a teenager." (She lost interest in dolls as she got older.)
• "He realized he had outgrown his job and needed a new challenge." (His job no longer suited him.)

Usage in Real Life:

• This phrase is often used for friendships, hobbies, or even romantic relationships.
• It suggests natural change over time.

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Alternative Expressions 

If you want to say "grow out of something" in different ways, you can use:

• "Outgrow something" → "She has outgrown her childish habits."
• "Move on from something" → "He moved on from his old interests."
• "Mature past something" → "She matured past her fears."

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Summary

Expression	Meaning	Example
Grow out of something	Stop a habit or behavior	"He grew out of his fear of the dark."
Grow out of clothes	Become too big for clothes	"She grew out of her shoes in six months."
Grow out of relationships	Change and no longer relate	"They grew out of their friendship."

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Common Mistakes with "Grow Out of Something"

Understanding the correct way to use "grow out of something" can be tricky for English learners. Below are some common mistakes to avoid:

1. Using "grow out of" for things that are not about growth or change:

   • ✗ "I grew out of the job."

   • ✓ "I outgrew the job."

     • Explanation: "Outgrow" is better used when talking about a situation that you have outgrown, like a job or a relationship that no longer suits you.

2. Misusing "grow out of" when it doesn’t apply to habits or objects:

   • ✗ "He grew out of his work."

   • ✓ "He grew tired of his work."

     • Explanation: "Grow out of" should be used when talking about habits, behaviors, clothes, or things you physically or emotionally grow beyond. For work or interests, "grow tired of" or "lose interest in" would be better.

3. Confusing "grow out of" with "get rid of":

   • ✗ "I grew out of the old clothes and threw them away."

   • ✓ "I outgrew the old clothes and had to give them away."

     • Explanation: "Grow out of" refers to becoming too big or mature for something, not to getting rid of something.

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Quiz: Test Your Knowledge on "Grow Out of Something"

1. Which sentence is correct?

   • a) "He grew out of his fear of public speaking."

   • b) "He grew out from his fear of public speaking."

2. What does "grow out of something" mean?

   • a) To learn how to do something better

   • b) To stop a behavior or become too big for something

3. Complete the sentence: "She used to play with dolls, but she _____ as she grew older."

   • a) grew out of them

   • b) grew off them

4. Which is correct?

   • a) "The child outgrew his clothes."

   • b) "The child grew out of his clothes."

5. What is the best way to express outgrowing a hobby?

   • a) "I grew out of the hobby."

   • b) "I outgrew the hobby."

6. Can you use "grow out of" for something like a job that no longer fits you?

   • a) Yes

   • b) No

7. Which sentence is correct?

   • a) "She grew out of her childhood fears."

   • b) "She grew up of her childhood fears."

8. Choose the correct usage:

   • "He grew out of his old bicycle."

   • "He grew off his old bicycle."

9. Which one is true about using "grow out of" for relationships?

   • a) "They grew out of their friendship as they changed."

   • b) "They grew off their friendship as they changed."

10. Which of the following is correct?

    • a) "He outgrew the toys and moved to video games."

    • b) "He grew out of the toys and moved to video games."

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FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions about "Grow Out of Something"

1. Can "grow out of something" refer to emotional growth?

   • Yes! For example, you might "grow out of" childish fears or insecurities as you mature.

2. Is "grow out of" only used for kids?

   • No, it can be used for adults too. For example, "She grew out of her old beliefs as she became more open-minded."

3. What’s the difference between "grow out of" and "outgrow"?

   • "Grow out of" refers to habits, clothes, or objects that you no longer need because you’ve outgrown them. "Outgrow" is often used for the process of getting too big for something or to describe personal growth.

4. Can I say "grow out of school" if I finish my studies?

   • No, it would be better to say "I graduated from school" or "I finished school."

5. Is it common to use "grow out of something" in everyday conversations?

   • Yes! It's a very natural and common phrase used when discussing personal growth, change, or physical development.

6. Can I use "grow out of" for a job?

   • Yes, you can say you "outgrew" a job or career if it no longer satisfies you or if you’ve become too skilled for it.

7. Can I use "grow out of" for hobbies?

   • Yes! You can say "I grew out of my hobby" if you stopped enjoying it or moved on to other things.

8. Does "grow out of" apply to feelings or emotions?

   • Yes, it can! For example, "I grew out of my fear of speaking in public."

9. Can I use "grow out of" to describe a relationship?

   • Yes, it can refer to outgrowing a relationship. For example, "We grew out of our friendship as we changed."

10. When should I use "grow out of" instead of "move on from"?

    • "Grow out of" is used for things that you have naturally grown too big for, such as clothes or childish habits. "Move on from" is often used for emotions, people, or situations that you need to leave behind.

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Things You Should Know About "Grow Out of Something"

• The Evolution of Habits: "Grow out of" is often used to describe behaviors or habits that you no longer engage in as you mature. For example, many people "grow out of" certain childish behaviors like tantrums or being afraid of the dark.

• Use it for Clothing: This phrase is most commonly used to talk about kids growing out of their clothes or toys. It’s a good expression to use when describing how kids rapidly outgrow their belongings.

• Growth Beyond the Physical: While "grow out of" is often used for physical growth, it can also be used to describe emotional or intellectual development. For instance, you might "grow out of" your old beliefs or interests as you learn more about the world.

• Be Careful with Relationships: When used in the context of relationships, "grow out of" usually implies that the relationship no longer suits you. It’s a bit like "growing apart" from someone as you evolve into different people.

By practicing these different uses of "grow out of something," you'll start using it more naturally in your everyday conversations. It’s a great phrase to express both physical growth and emotional change!