Growing up is a big part of life. Everyone changes from being a kid to becoming an adult. Along the way, people use special phrases called idioms to talk about growing up in fun and interesting ways. These idioms help us explain feelings and ideas about becoming older and learning new things.
In this article, you will learn about idioms related to growing up. These expressions are easy to understand and are often used in everyday talk. They can help you share stories about yourself and your friends as you grow. Let’s explore some common idioms about growing up and see how they can make your language more lively and fun.
Idioms about Growing Up
1. Break the ice
Meaning: To start something new or make people feel comfortable.
Samples: At my new school, I told a joke to break the ice. / She broke the ice by asking a question first.
To Put it Another Way: I helped everyone feel relaxed. / I started the fun.
2. Come of age
Meaning: To become an adult or mature.
Samples: When I turned 13, I felt like I came of age. / He came of age and started taking more responsibility.
To Put it Another Way: I grew up. / I became more mature.
3. Out of the nest
Meaning: Leaving home to live on your own.
Samples: When I went to college, I flew out of the nest. / My sister moved out of the nest last year.
To Put it Another Way: I left home. / I started living by myself.
4. Learn the ropes
Meaning: To learn how to do something new.
Samples: On my first day at the new club, I had to learn the ropes. / He learned the ropes quickly in his new class.
To Put it Another Way: I learned what to do. / I figured out how things work.
5. Grow up
Meaning: To become older or mature.
Samples: I want to grow up and be a doctor. / She grew up fast after moving to a new school.
To Put it Another Way: I got older. / I became mature.
6. Test the waters
Meaning: To try something new carefully.
Samples: I tested the waters by joining the basketball team for one practice. / She tested the waters before signing up for the art class.
To Put it Another Way: I tried a little. / I checked if I liked it.
7. Spread your wings
Meaning: To try new things and become independent.
Samples: When I started high school, I spread my wings and made new friends. / He spread his wings by traveling alone.
To Put it Another Way: I tried new things. / I became more independent.
8. Take the plunge
Meaning: To make a big decision or start something new.
Samples: I took the plunge and joined the school play. / She took the plunge and asked to be team captain.
To Put it Another Way: I decided to do it. / I started something big.
9. Kid gloves
Meaning: To treat someone gently, like a child.
Samples: My parents handled my mistakes with kid gloves. / The teacher treated the new student with kid gloves.
To Put it Another Way: They were very gentle. / They were careful with me.
10. At the drop of a hat
Meaning: To do something quickly without waiting.
Samples: I was ready to help my friend at the drop of a hat. / She joined the game at the drop of a hat.
To Put it Another Way: I did it right away. / I didn’t wait at all.
11. Full of beans
Meaning: Very lively and full of energy.
Samples: After the party, we were full of beans. / My little brother is always full of beans.
To Put it Another Way: I felt very energetic. / I was full of life.
12. Like a kid in a candy store
Meaning: Very excited and happy.
Samples: I was like a kid in a candy store at the toy shop. / She was like a kid in a candy store at the book fair.
To Put it Another Way: I was super excited. / I felt very happy.
13. Learn by heart
Meaning: To memorize something perfectly.
Samples: I learned the poem by heart for class. / She learned all the math facts by heart.
To Put it Another Way: I remembered it all. / I knew it without looking.
14. Keep your chin up
Meaning: To stay positive and brave.
Samples: Even when I failed, my coach told me to keep my chin up. / She kept her chin up after the test.
To Put it Another Way: I stayed strong. / I didn’t give up.
15. In the same boat
Meaning: Being in the same situation as others.
Samples: We were all in the same boat before the test results came. / They were in the same boat when the game was canceled.
To Put it Another Way: We had the same problem. / We were together in this.
16. Off the hook
Meaning: To be free from a problem or responsibility.
Samples: I was off the hook when the teacher forgot to give homework. / She got off the hook for missing the practice.
To Put it Another Way: I didn’t have to do it. / I was free from trouble.
17. On the ball
Meaning: Being quick and smart.
Samples: My friend is always on the ball during games. / The teacher said I’m on the ball in class.
To Put it Another Way: I was alert. / I was ready and smart.
18. Piece of cake
Meaning: Something very easy.
Samples: That math problem was a piece of cake. / The test was a piece of cake for me.
To Put it Another Way: It was very easy. / I did it without trouble.
19. Pull someone’s leg
Meaning: To joke or tease someone.
Samples: I was just pulling your leg about the scary story. / My sister pulled my leg with a funny joke.
To Put it Another Way: I was joking. / I made fun in a nice way.
20. Put on your thinking cap
Meaning: To start thinking hard about something.
Samples: It’s time to put on your thinking cap for the project. / I put on my thinking cap to solve the puzzle.
To Put it Another Way: I started to think carefully. / I tried to figure it out.
21. Rule of thumb
Meaning: A general rule or guide.
Samples: The rule of thumb is to study a little every day. / A rule of thumb for running is to warm up first.
To Put it Another Way: A simple rule. / A helpful guide.
22. Spill the beans
Meaning: To tell a secret.
Samples: Don’t spill the beans about the surprise party. / She spilled the beans about the test.
To Put it Another Way: I told the secret. / I shared the surprise.
23. Take it easy
Meaning: To relax or not work too hard.
Samples: After school, I take it easy by reading a book. / My parents tell me to take it easy on weekends.
To Put it Another Way: I rested. / I didn’t work too hard.
24. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling sick.
Samples: I was under the weather and stayed home from school. / She felt under the weather after playing outside.
To Put it Another Way: I felt sick. / I wasn’t feeling well.
25. Up in the air
Meaning: Something is not decided yet.
Samples: Our plans for the weekend are still up in the air. / It’s up in the air if the game will happen.
To Put it Another Way: Not sure yet. / We don’t know what will happen.
26. Walking on air
Meaning: Feeling very happy.
Samples: I was walking on air after winning the race. / She felt like walking on air on her birthday.
To Put it Another Way: I was very happy. / I felt like flying.
27. Water under the bridge
Meaning: Something that happened and is now forgotten.
Samples: We had a fight, but it’s water under the bridge now. / That mistake is water under the bridge.
To Put it Another Way: We forgot about it. / It’s in the past.
28. When pigs fly
Meaning: Something that will never happen.
Samples: I’ll clean my room when pigs fly! / He said he’ll do homework on time when pigs fly.
To Put it Another Way: That will never happen. / It’s impossible.
29. Wrap your head around
Meaning: To understand something difficult.
Samples: It took me a while to wrap my head around the new math idea. / She wrapped her head around the science project.
To Put it Another Way: I understood it. / I figured it out.
30. Your guess is as good as mine
Meaning: I don’t know the answer either.
Samples: “When will the bus come?” “Your guess is as good as mine.” / “Who will win?” “Your guess is as good as mine.”
To Put it Another Way: I don’t know. / I’m not sure either.
Find the Topics: Idioms about Growing Up
Last Friday was the school dance, and everyone was excited. Mia was a little nervous because she was new. To break the ice, she told a funny story to some classmates. Soon, she felt like she was no longer a kid and had really come of age.
After the dance, Mia’s friend Jack said he was ready to spread his wings and try new clubs this year. Mia decided to take the plunge and sign up for the school play. She knew she had to put on her thinking cap to learn all the lines.
Her older brother had already flown out of the nest to live in a dorm. He told her to keep her chin up and not worry about small mistakes. Mia was excited but also a little full of beans, ready for all the new adventures ahead.
Your Task:
Read the story again. Underline or list all 8 idioms about growing up you find in the passage.
Answer Key
- Break the ice
- Come of age
- Spread your wings
- Take the plunge
- Put on your thinking cap
- Out of the nest
- Keep your chin up
- Full of beans
Conclusion
Idioms about growing up help us talk about growing older and learning new things in fun ways. Using these phrases can make your stories more interesting and easier to understand. Whether you’re ready to spread your wings or take the plunge, idioms show important steps in growing up. They help you share your feelings about becoming more mature and independent.
If you keep learning and using idioms, your language will grow too.
