Maturity isn’t just about age; it’s about how we understand and react to the world around us. In English, there are numerous expressions and idioms that encapsulate various aspects of maturity, from wisdom and responsibility to self-awareness and restraint. This blog post dives into 20 such expressions, offering a brief explanation and an example for each, helping you to enrich your conversations by articulating maturity in different contexts.
Expressions Related to Maturity
1. Act your age
Meaning: Behave suitably for your age.
Example: Stop throwing tantrums, act your age.
2. Old soul
Meaning: Someone who displays wisdom beyond their years.
Example: She’s only 25 but is such an old soul.
3. Wise beyond years
Meaning: Having more wisdom than typically expected at one’s age.
Example: The young leader was wise beyond his years.
4. Come of age
Meaning: Reach maturity or the legal adulthood age.
Example: He really came of age during college.
5. Level-headed
Meaning: Sensible and calm.
Example: In crises, she is remarkably level-headed.
6. Settle down
Meaning: Start living a stable and orderly life.
Example: They decided to settle down after traveling the world.
7. Put things into perspective
Meaning: Think about a situation realistically.
Example: She put things into perspective after the loss.
8. Full of years
Meaning: Having lived a long life, experienced.
Example: He is full of years and wisdom.
9. Take responsibility
Meaning: Accept duty for care or control.
Example: He took responsibility for the error.
10. Show your true colors
Meaning: Reveal one’s true nature.
Example: Under pressure, she showed her true colors.
11. Stand on one’s own two feet
Meaning: Be independent and self-supporting.
Example: After college, he learned to stand on his own two feet.
12. Time will tell
Meaning: The truth or outcome will become clear later.
Example: She’s changed, but time will tell.
13. Earn your stripes
Meaning: Gain experience in a particular field or activity.
Example: He earned his stripes in many tough negotiations.
14. Keep your wits about you
Meaning: Stay alert and use your understanding and judgment.
Example: In that chaotic office, you must keep your wits about you.
15. Bite the bullet
Meaning: Endure a painful situation bravely.
Example: He bit the bullet and faced his fears.
16. Have the last laugh
Meaning: Ultimately succeed despite setbacks.
Example: Despite the criticism, she had the last laugh when her project succeeded.
17. A word to the wise
Meaning: A piece of advice given to the knowledgeable or prudent.
Example: A word to the wise—secure your data.
18. Grasp the nettle
Meaning: Tackle a difficult problem bravely.
Example: He grasped the nettle and dealt with the complaints directly.
19. The school of hard knocks
Meaning: Life’s hard experiences teaching someone.
Example: He learned his trade in the school of hard knocks.
20. Weather the storm
Meaning: Survive a difficult period.
Example: The company weathered the storm and emerged stronger.
