grow apart
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle apart
Meanings
Gradually become less interested in each other
Why “apart”? A whole separates into pieces, or people become more distant from each other.
“They grew apart at university.”
“The band grew apart after the tour ended.”
Don't confuse with
Grow apart means gradually become less interested in each other. Grow up means reach adulthood or mature.
Test yourself
“They grew apart at university.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
grow up
A contrast learners often mix up
Become an adult or spend your childhood in a place
come apart
Same apart pattern: separation
Break into pieces or stop holding together
drift apart
Same apart pattern: separation
Of two or more people, slowly become less close to each other
fall apart
Same apart pattern: separation
Break into separate pieces because something is broken; Become unable to cope emotionally; (of a relationship, plan or system) Collapse
pull apart
Same apart pattern: separation
Separate two people or things by force
take apart
Same apart pattern: separation
Disassemble completely; Criticise harshly
tear apart
Same apart pattern: separation
Cause great unhappiness, especially in a group; Pull something so hard that it breaks into pieces; Criticise someone or something very severely
grow into
Same base verb: grow
Gradually become larger or more mature
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