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# going through a phase

phrase (verb phrase: go through a phase, goes, went, has gone through a phase, going)

«going through a phase» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism) behaving in a new way that the speaker thinks (or hopes) is temporary: «he's going through a phase».
2. (literal) passing through a stage of growth or change, as in the phases of the moon or of a project.

### In the lessons

Parents and relatives say it to brush off a child's or teenager's new style, interest or mood, often a little dismissively; everyday, all regions. In science, «phase» is literal: moon phases, phases of matter.

### Examples

- He's going through a phase of only eating pasta.
- Mum says my sister's black clothes are just a phase.
- Don't worry, the toddler is going through a biting phase.
- The moon goes through phases every month.
- "It's not a phase, Mum!" shouted Josh.
- We all go through a phase of hating vegetables.
- The project is going through its testing phase.
- Ice, water and steam are different phases of the same substance.

### Note

Trap: it can feel dismissive to the young person, who may feel serious about their change. In science, phases are real stages. Plain meaning: a short period of different behaviour.