sprout

sprout up

1. Literally, of a plant, to grow up above the soil. I can't believe some flowers are already sprouting up—I only planted them last week! A bunch of weeds sprouted up in the front yard over the weekend.
2. To appear or arise very quickly and suddenly. Problems started sprouting up as soon as the software went live. Cafés and boutique shops have been sprouting up all over this part of town in recent months.
See also: sprout, up

sprout wings

To begin suddenly behaving in an obedient, respectful, congenial manner—i.e., like an angel. Usually used sarcastically or facetiously. If you honestly believe they're going to sprout wings and start making decisions that put consumers before profits, then you're more naïve than I thought.
See also: sprout, wing
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

sprout up

to grow upward quickly, as do newly sprouted seedlings. The seeds sprouted up in the warm rains. Many of the newly planted seeds failed to sprout up on time.
See also: sprout, up

sprout wings

Fig. to behave so well as to resemble an angel. The kid is not about to sprout wings, but he probably won't get into jail again. He was so good and helpful, I thought he would sprout wings.
See also: sprout, wing
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

sprout up

v.
1. To emerge from the soil and grow rapidly: Weeds had sprouted up through the cracks in the pavement.
2. To emerge and develop rapidly: Within a few years, strip malls had sprouted up across the county.
See also: sprout, up
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Phrasal Verbs.

sprout

n. a child. A little sprout came up and tried to sell me a ticket to a game.

sprout wings

1. tv. to die and become an angel. I’m not ready to sprout wings yet. I’ve got a few more years.
2. tv. to be so good as to become an angel. The kid is not about to sprout wings, but he probably won’t get into jail again.
See also: sprout, wing
McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions
See also:
  • sprout up
  • literally
  • take root
  • take root, to
  • spring up like mushrooms
  • widow's weeds
  • (the) survival of the fittest
  • beat the living daylights out of
  • beat the living daylights out of someone
  • beat the tar out of (one)
References in periodicals archive
Another fan of the idea, said: "Battered Brussels sprouts. Why hasn't anyone thought of this before?"
Tesco to sell vegan-friendly battered Brussels sprouts for Christmas; Could the vegan-friendly dish become a Christmas classic like pigs in blankets?
So, scientists at the University of Minnesota examined how various sprouted wholewheat flour concentrations[??] 0%, 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%[??] would affect the rheological properties of whole-wheat flour and the resulting tortilla products.
Sprouted whole-wheat flour improves whole-wheat tortilla's baking performance
But there's good reason why your mum insisted on making you endure a forkful of Brussels sprouts on Christmas Day.
Why sprouts are always a good shout... not just at Christmas time; LIZ CONNOR finds reasons to pile more of these nutrient powerhouses onto your dinner plate this winter
A Scottish eatery is serving up ice cream made with SPROUTS in the run up to Christmas.
Ice cream parlour serving BRUSSELS SPROUT flavour for the Christmas period; The controversial concoction sprouted up on the menu an Aberdeen ice cream parlour
That means about 98 percent of the product going into the sorter is sprouts, which helps maximize its capacity and yield," Neal explains.
Brussels sprouts manufacturer turns over a new leaf with a digital sorter
These findings could be attributed to a direct effect of RCEO on cell division inducing sprout growth inhibition.
Ruta chalepensis L. Essential Oil: A New Antisprouting Agent for Potatoes Bioconservation
Additionally, the parties to the existing litigation against the company brought on behalf of the former shareholders of Sprout have filed a joint stipulation with the court that such claims be dismissed with prejudice.
Valeant Completes Sale of Sprout Pharmaceuticals Subsidiary to Former Shareholders of Sprout Pharmaceuticals
"The HP Sprout is inherently fun so students who use it automatically want to start creating things," Fleming says.
New Tech model school unleashes innovation with Sprout by HP: Students work on creative team projects with a focus on project-based learning
| Faye Herrington from Find Me A Gift in Southam tries out their latest treat - a white Belgium chocolate sprout
CHOC HORROR! It may look like a sprout - but there's a sweet surprise in store for the veg haters
Among various products of soybean, sprouts have been established as an important year-round vegetable in Korea, China, and Japan for a long time.
Persimmon fruit affects bacterial growth, hardness, vitamin C and chlorophyll content of soybean sprouts during storage
The development and history of the brussels sprout is somewhat mysterious, but by around 1806, the seeds of brussels sprouts appear in Philadelphia seedsman Bernard McMahon's broadside catalog, pointing to an earlier development in Europe.
Best buds: all about Brussels sprouts: when homegrown and fresh, this underrated vegetable is easy to grow, healthy and delicious, plus harvests last well into the fall
We'll reward you sprout lovers with a recipe on how to cook sprouts a little differently.
Geordie Christmas Dinner Poll result: Chronicle readers love Brussels sprouts; It was a close run thing but it's a win for sprout lovers as we edge ever closer to having them on our dinner plates on Christmas Day
What makes them stand out from the rest of the competition is very meaningful to the sprouts enthusiast.
Harris Seeds Adds Seeds for Sprouting to Product Line
Sprout is Windows powered and can operate using a sensor-laden mat on the desktop appearing like a gigantic mousepad.
HP Sprout: Keyboard Free And Mouse Free 3D Desktop