growing pains

plural noun

1. dull, quasi-rheumatic pains of varying degree in the limbs during childhood and adolescence, often popularly associated with the process of growing.
2. emotional difficulties experienced during adolescence and preadulthood.
3. difficulties attending any new project or any rapid development of an existing project:

   a city plagued with growing pains.

growing pains

plural noun

1. pains in muscles or joints sometimes experienced by children during a period of unusually rapid growth
2. difficulties besetting a new enterprise in its early stages

Word History and Origins

Origin of growing pains¹

First recorded in 1800–10

Idioms and Phrases

Problems that arise in beginning or enlarging an enterprise, as in The company is undergoing growing pains but should be viable by next year . This expression, which dates from the late 1800s, originally referred to the joint and limb aches experienced by youngsters who are growing rapidly. By about 1900 it was being used figuratively.

Example Sentences

Both schools have had their share of growing pains at the position this year.

From Los Angeles Times

The family navigates racism and growing pains without getting too heavy handed about it; farcical “interrogations” by immigration authorities including Pete Holmes provide additional comic relief.

From Los Angeles Times

That involvement should continue to climb in the coming weeks, as USC’s young receiving corps continues to work through growing pains.

From Los Angeles Times

USC’s offensive line has gone through its share of growing pains, while its quartet of sophomore receivers, all of whom were expected to step up, have been inconsistent.

From Los Angeles Times

He told Salon that Republicans were trying to detach their fortunes from Trump, albeit with some growing pains.

From Salon