build character

build character (third-person singular simple present builds character, present participle building character, simple past and past participle built character)

1. (idiomatic) To improve a person's character by developing personality traits such as resilience or responsibility.
   • 1989 January 2, Bill Watterson, Calvin & Hobbes (comic):

     Pretty convenient how every time I build character, he saves a couple hundred dollars.

• character-building