Phrasal Verbs Related to Age

Phrasal Verbs Related to Age: How to Talk About Life, Growing Older, and Looking Back

Life has a funny way of moving forward while we’re busy making plans.

One day you’re growing up, the next you’re getting on, and before you know it, you’re looking back and wondering where the time went.

In English, we often talk about age, life stages, and the passage of time using phrasal verbs. These expressions are extremely common in everyday speech, stories, and even more emotional or reflective writing — and they help you sound natural, human, and fluent.

In this lesson, you’ll learn some of the most useful phrasal verbs related to age and life — with clear meanings, natural examples, and typical contexts.

GROW UP = to become an adult

Grow up means to change from being a child into being an adult. It can also be used more generally to talk about where and how someone spent their childhood.

To grow up = to pass from childhood into adulthood

Examples:

• My sister and I grew up in the countryside.
• When he grew up, Mark decided to travel the world.
• Celebrities often don’t like their children to grow up in the public eye.
• I grew up watching old black-and-white films.

You can also say:

• I grew up in a small town.
• I grew up in a poor / happy / strict family.

 FILL OUT = to become heavier or more rounded (often with age)

Fill out means to gain weight or become more rounded in shape — very often as people get older or recover from illness.

To fill out = to become less thin, more solid, more rounded

Examples:

• When she turned 50, Sally began to fill out and had to buy bigger clothes.
• His face has filled out since he started working from home.
• Have you noticed that you’ve started filling out around the waist?
• After her illness, she slowly filled out

This is usually neutral or gentle, not rude — but still, use it kindly.

GET ON = to be getting old

When we say someone is getting on, we mean they are becoming old (or at least older). It’s a polite, indirect way to talk about age.

To be getting on = to be no longer young

Common patterns:

• be getting on
• be getting on for + age

Examples:

• My grandma isn’t getting any younger — she’s getting on. She’ll be 77 next month.
• David is getting on for 70.
• She’s still a good athlete, but she’s getting on a bit.

This is much softer and more polite than saying “old”.

LOOK BACK (ON) = to think about the past

As people grow older, they often look back on their life, their choices, and their memories.

To look back (on something) = to think about the past from the present

Examples:

• Older people often look back on their childhood with nostalgia.
• When he looks back, Sean can see the mistakes he made.
• After retiring, Michael could look back on his career with pride.
• Looking back, I realise how lucky I was.

It is very common in life stories, biographies, reflective writing and speaking about experiences.

SETTLE DOWN = to start a calmer, more stable life

We often use settle down when someone gets married, starts a family, stops moving around or chooses a quieter life.

To settle down = to start a stable, quiet, adult life

Examples:

• After years of travelling, he decided to settle down.
• When do you think you’ll settle down and start a family?
• She’s finally settled down and seems much happier.

SLOW DOWN = to become less active (often with age)

As people get older, they often slow down — physically, professionally, or in their lifestyle.

To slow down = to become less active or less fast

Examples:

• He’s still working, but he’s definitely slowing down.
• My parents have slowed down a lot in recent years.
• You don’t have to slow down just because you’re 60!

GROW OLD = to become old

This one is simple, but very common in emotional or reflective language.

To grow old = to become old

Examples:

• They grew old together in the same house.
• She wants to grow old with someone she loves.
• We all worry a little about growing old.

PASS AWAY = to die (polite and gentle)

Pass away is a polite, respectful way to say that someone has died. It’s used in formal situations, sad news, and condolences.

To pass away = to die (polite / euphemistic)

Examples:

• Our neighbour passed away peacefully last night.
• We’re very sorry to hear that your father passed away.
• He passed away during the operation.

This is much softer than saying die and is very common in polite speech.

Quick summary

grow up → become an adult

fill out → become more rounded / heavier

get on → be getting old

look back (on) → think about the past

pass away → die (polite)

settle down → start a stable adult life

slow down → become less active

grow old → become old

Why these are great for B2 / C1

These phrasal verbs are very natural, very human and perfect for stories, essays, biographies, speaking, and reflections.

They help your English sound less like a textbook and more like a real person talking about life.

Final thought

We all grow up. Many of us settle down. One day, we start getting on. And if we’re lucky, we can look back on our lives with a smile.

That’s not just English. That’s life. 🙂

Learn 100 phrasal verbs for everyday use and download the PDF here