grow up
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle up
Meanings
Become an adult or spend your childhood in a place
Why “up”? More of something is higher. Quantity, intensity and speed all rise.
“She grew up in a small town.”
“My brother grew up near the sea.”
“When I grow up, I want to be a pilot.”
Don't confuse with
Grow up means become an adult or spend childhood somewhere. Grow apart means gradually become less interested in each other.
Test yourself
“She grew up in a small town.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
grow apart
A contrast learners often mix up
Gradually become less interested in each other
back up
Same up pattern: increase
Make a digital copy of data as a safeguard; Support someone's claim, story or position; Move backward along the same path; (of traffic or water) accumulate because flow is blocked
beef up
Same up pattern: increase
Strengthen or reinforce
blow up
Same up pattern: increase
Explode or be destroyed by an explosion; Inflate something by filling it with air; Suddenly become very angry; Enlarge a photograph or image; (of a storm or argument) develop quickly into something serious
build up
Same up pattern: increase
Gradually increase in amount, strength or intensity; Develop or strengthen something over time; Make someone or something seem more important or impressive than they are; Encourage or strengthen someone emotionally; Create momentum towards a moment or event
cheer up
Same up pattern: increase
Become happier or less miserable; Make someone else happier; (imperative) Stop being sad; used as encouragement
get up
Same up pattern: increase
Move from lying or sitting to an upright or standing position; Increase in strength
go up
Same up pattern: increase
Rise in price or amount
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