mother-hen

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English[edit]

Verb[edit]

mother-hen (third-person singular simple present mother-hens, present participle mother-henning, simple past and past participle mother-henned)

  1. (transitive, intransitive) To behave in an overprotective or extremely nurturing manner (towards).
    • 1997, Renon Klossner Hulet, Don't You Dare Give Up, page 201:
      Concerned for Diane's well-being, he mother-henned her constantly.
    • 2018, Patricia Rice, Rebel Girl:
      He watched as Jo mother-henned her entire family, including the kids, into the closed café.
    • 2018, Erik Henry Vick, Demon King:
      The two little ones were up on the sidewalk now, being mother-henned by two ladies with blue hair and eating ice cream.

Related terms[edit]

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