grow apart

grow apart

1. Literally, to grow and move away from something. Wow, those bushes have really grown apart since we bought the place.
2. To experience a lessening of emotional intimacy in a relationship over time. Of course I still care about Ed—we've just grown apart over the years. We hardly even talk anymore.
See also: apart, grow
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

grow apart

 (from someone or something)
1. Lit. [for things] to separate as they grow. These trees tend to grow apart from each other as they get bigger. They need to grow apart so they won't be too crowded.
2. Fig. [for people] to separate from one another gradually. Over the years, they grew apart from each other. Ted and Sharon grew apart and saw less and less of each other.
See also: apart, grow
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • grow away from
  • grow away from (someone or something)
  • clear away
  • (you) coulda fooled me
  • (you) could have fooled me
  • a ringside seat
  • sling (something) at (someone or something)
  • sling at
  • slung
  • be (really) something
References in periodicals archive
Thicke revealed that they weren't happy together anymore and added that there was a hundred different reasons and not just one and it didn't work for 20 years because sometimes people grow apart. ( ANI )
I haven't seen Paula for four months, says Robin Thicke
It will aid your recovery if you can understand people can love and value each other at one point in time and grow apart when their needs and priorities shift.
Dr Miriam: HE'S SO HAPPY SINCE WE SPLIT
To care that Em and Blue grow apart, you have to believe that they were once inseparable.
Books: Emotion sickness; ANDREA HENRY fails to be moved by turgid tale of troubled siblings THE PETTY DETAILS OF SO-AND-SO'S LIFE Camilla Gibb Heinemann, pounds 12.99
A friend said he did not want to be at sea and grow apart from seven- year-old Bea and six-year-old Eugenie.
Andy quits for girls
"You kind of grow apart but I wouldn't say a bad word about Clodagh, she's a wonderful woman.
GOLD-DIGGERS KEAN ON ME; Gerald's torment after marriage split
But worlds grow apart, people change and people want to go in different directions."
TEARS OF A CLOWN; Funnyman Brendan's hidden anguish at death of his son and collapse of his marriage
Bjorn says they simply grew apart, adding: "We got married quite young and, after 10 years, you find out you're different and you grow apart. It happens to so many people."
Bjorn: Abba tours kept us together
Mrs Northam said there is a risk the age difference will lead the couple to grow apart.
'People get together without thinking through what they're doing'
A YOU don't say how long you've been together but sadly, many couples do simply grow apart. Finding yourself at tracted to your workmate may have brought these doubts to the surface more quickly.
Dear Rachael: I don't fancy my guy at all
'If you don't update your relationship with someone, you grow apart.'
Why we're still together
Paul Heritage of food maker Aunt Bessie's, who polled 2,000 adults, said: "It seems every day pressures are causing families to grow apart."
Long hours hit families; PARENTS
The chances are they'll grow apart as their interests change anyway, so there's no point in forcing them.' Evie Henson, 17, Newport
Do you have a parenting problem? Let our teenagers help
You might grow apart because of changes you go through, like one of you matures faster than the other.
Does Your BFF need a one way ticket to Dumpsville?
"I think we kind of grew apart, I mean there was a lot of love in the relationship, but we did kind of grow apart, and neither of us could really understand why but we just kind of did," she said.
Charlotte Church opens up about Gavin Henson split
"It's too easy to grow apart. My parents have been married 40 years, Lee's 30.
Denise: I want to have kids