Meaning trap
grow up
stop behaving childishly
To start acting in a more mature and responsible way, not like a child.
Don't mix these meanings
Same phrase, different job.
To start acting in a more mature and responsible way, not like a child.
Another meaning of 'grow up' is 'become an adult'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.
Hear it in context
Notice where the phrase sounds natural.
- It's time for you to grow up and take responsibility for your actions.relationships
- Some people think young adults today should grow up faster and become independent earlier.IELTS speaking
Fix the pattern
Pattern: grow up (and do something)
WrongYou need to grow up yourself.
RightYou need to grow up.
'Grow up' (act mature) is intransitive — no reflexive object.
Patterngrow up (and do something)
Use it right
Choose the version that sounds natural in speech.
As a rebuke, 'grow up!' is what natives actually snap. The formal version is preachy.
Build natural chunks
Words that usually travel with it.
grow upjustoha bitfor once
Don't confuse it
This is about behavior, not age or physical growth.
Related
- grow up (become an adult) — Another meaning of 'grow up' is 'become an adult'; compare the examples to keep the meanings separate.