To become too large or tall to fit into something, especially clothes or shoes, as you get older.
My son has grown out of all his shoes again.
A: Why are there so many old clothes in this bag? B: Oh, Lily grew out of them last year.
When I was a child, I used to get new uniforms every year because I would quickly grow out of the old ones.
Common mistake
✗He grew out from his shoes.
✓He grew out of his shoes.
It's 'grow out OF', not 'out from'.
Tell it apart
He's grown out of his shoes.
too big for them now
He's grown out of throwing tantrums.
stopped the habit
Use this phrase when someone can’t use something anymore because they have become too big for it.Not about changing habits or interests—this sense is only about physical size.
To stop doing something as you get older, especially a habit or interest that is seen as childish.
Most children eventually grow out of being afraid of the dark.
A: Do you still bite your nails? B: No, I grew out of that years ago.
I used to be very shy in social situations, but I grew out of it as I became more confident during university.
Common mistake
✗Kids usually grow out from tantrums.
✓Kids usually grow out of tantrums.
'Grow out OF + habit'.
Tell it apart
She grew out of biting her nails.
stopped the habit
She grew out of her shoes.
got physically too big
Use this phrase when someone stops a behavior or interest because they have matured.Not about size or clothes—this sense is about habits, interests, or behaviors.
To originate or develop as a result of a particular situation, idea, or set of circumstances, rather than from something physical or concrete.
The initiative grew out of a series of informal discussions among the research team.
A: How did this annual festival start? B: It actually grew out of a small community event that was held years ago.
Many successful businesses have grown out of a simple idea that addressed a specific need in the market.
Common mistake
✗The idea grew out from a casual chat.
✓The idea grew out of a casual chat.
'Grow out OF' (= develop from), not 'out from'.
Tell it apart
The charity grew out of a local campaign.
developed from it
She grew out of her old bike.
got physically too big
'Grow out of' in this sense is used to describe how ideas, projects, or movements originate and develop gradually from something else, often in academic, professional, or reflective contexts. It does not refer to physical growth or personal habits.Unlike the B1 sense (becoming too big for something) and the B2 sense (stopping a childish habit), this sense is abstract and refers to the gradual development or emergence of something from a previous situation, idea, or condition.