ripen

ripen into (something)

1. Of a food, to become ripe or mature over time and enter into a new form, state, or condition. We must first press the curds to get rid of excess moisture before they begin ripening into cheese. Bees mix a special secretion with the nectar as they collect it from flowers. They then deposit the mixture into the combs of the hive, and it eventually ripens into honey.
2. Of a person, to change, develop, or mature over time until one enters into a new state, condition, or type of person. She was pretty brash and headstrong when she first took over the company, but she has ripened into a strong, reliable, and steady-handed leader over the last 10 years. As he ripened into adulthood, Jake left much of his boyish wonder and naïveté behind.
3. Of a situation or circumstance, to grow or develop into some new, more complex or deep-seated state or condition. Many believe the rumblings of the population are going to ripen into full-blown rebellion. Any relationship will have its highs and lows, but those couples who can communicate effectively and look past their own individual insecurities will eventually ripen into strong, happy unions.
See also: ripen

ripen up

To grow ripe; to become mature enough to harvest or pick. Make sure you plant your tomatoes in a spot that gets plenty of sunshine, or else it will take a whole lot longer for them to ripen up.
See also: ripen, up
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

ripen into something

 
1. Lit. to ripen and become something recognizable. This little green ball will ripen into an apple.
2. Fig. to mature into something. This problem is going to ripen into a real crisis if we don't do something about it right now. The small matter ripened into a large problem in a short time.
See also: ripen
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • ripen into
  • ripen into (something)
  • ripen up
  • get rid of
  • get rid of (someone or something)
  • get rid of somebody/something
  • ti
  • time is ripe
  • time is ripe, the
  • the time is ripe
References in periodicals archive
Saleem said in developed countries, fruits were commercially ripened in an artificial chamber having no health hazards, but unfortunately in Pakistan, the departments concerned were not providing any facility to the farmers in this regard.
Artificial ripening of fruits poses health hazards to consumers
But Miss Happiness Shehu, who described herself as 'a lover of fruits'', said that fruit vendors hardly admit that they apply chemicals to ripen fruits so as not to drive customers away.
Artificial ripening of fruits causes cancer, liver, kidney diseases a Experts
| GIVE THEM A HELPING HAND TOMATOES that are starting to ripen should complete ripening if left at room temperature for up to two weeks, if you store them in newspaper, in a cardboard box, in a dark place between 13-21degC.
Ripen your tomatoes before it's too late
Gardeners cannot afford sending fully ripened fruit to the markets because it will rot while reaching the destinations.
Experts warn against use of chemicals for ripening fruits
During quality inspection, fully ripened mangoes are manually separated from less mature ones.
HVAC&R Systems for Mango Pulp Processing
After the raids confirmed the worst fears that the fruit traders were using carcinogens to ripen fruit, the Telangana state agriculture and horticulture department decided to set up three fruit ripening chambers of its own at different places to tackle the menace.
Hyderabad HC angry over the use of carcinogens for ripening fruits
But after adding ' masala', all mangoes in a carton will ripen, turn yellow and be ready to eat Farmers there pluck it prematurely because in that condition the fruit is more resistant to damage during handling, transportation and storage.
AAM AADMI cheats When
Ideally, delayed ripening prolongs storage life--without lessening the pears' ability to ripen on demand later on.
Pampering Anjou: studying storage of a popular pear
? Harvest the remaining cane fruit, then cut out at ground level all canes that have finished fruiting, removing pests and diseases and allowing new canes to ripen properly.
Things to do this week
[8.] Mamiro P, Fweja L, Chove B, Kinabo J, George V and K Mtebe Physical and chemical characteristics of off-vine ripened mango (Mangifera indica L) fruit (Dodo).
Effect of ripening stage on composition, sensory qualities and acceptability of Keitt mango (Mangifera indica L.) chips
Because respiration continues after harvest, fruits and vegetables can be picked unripe, and allowed to ripen before reaching the consumer.
Wrapped for ripeness
Any green fruits at the end of the season can be packed in kitchen paper and put in a dark place to ripen, or hang a banana in the plant's branches to speed reddening.
I want to see red rather than green; TRICKS of the TRADE
In the May/June issue, there is an article about bananas ripening apples ("What Makes Fruit Ripen?").
Ripening trick
Encourage outdoor tomatoes to ripen by giving them a light dressing of sulphate of potash.
Gardening: Tasks
When fruits ripen, they produce a gas called ethylene (ETH-il-een).
Flavorful fruits