grow out of

grow out of something 

1. Lit. to develop and grow outward from something. Soft green shoots grew out of the trunk of the tree. A bush grew out of the gutter and hung down the front of the house.

2. Lit. to age out of something; to outgrow something; to abandon something as one matures. Finally, Ted grew out of his bedwetting. Haven't you grown out of your fear of the dark yet?

3. Lit. to grow so much that some article of clothing does not fit. Timmy's getting so tall that he's grown out of all his clothes. He grew out of his suit, and he's only worn it three times.

4. Fig. [for a problem] to develop from something less serious. This whole matter grew out of your failure to let the cat out last night. A big argument has grown out of a tiny disagreement!

See also: grow, out

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grow out of something

1. to develop from something His book grew out of a trip to South America as a member of a government commission.

2. to become too old to be interested in something Vinnie did a lot of stupid stuff in high school, but I always thought he'd grow out of it.

Etymology: based on the literal meaning of grow out of your clothes (to become too big to fit into your clothes)

See also: grow, out