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Glite Dictionary
to be mother

to be mother

1 9.8
To look after others and serve drinks like tea or coffee
  • phrasal verb
  • Archaic
translation icon : ser la madre
  • To create a warm atmosphere, she always loved to be mother by pouring tea and snacks for her guests.

Examples

  • I'll be mother...

    Mum & Dad (2008)

  • At the tea party, she offered to be mother and served everyone with a smile.

  • During the gathering, he gladly decided to be mother for the group and ensured everyone had what they needed.

Synonyms

to mother
vsto be mother
12 5.1

To care for someone in a very loving and protective way

focuses on practical service and nurturing actions in hospitality contexts

Antonyms

neglect
100 3.5

Not caring for someone or something that needs care

How Caring

to dote
18 7.7
to be mother
  • Archaic
1 9.8
caring
54 1.6
helpfulness
3 2.3

Surface Forms

be mother infinitive
mothered past
mothered past participle
mothering present participle
mothers third person singular

Morphology

be + mother

The meaning 'to act in a nurturing or caring role' is directly derivable from combining 'be' (to assume a role) with 'mother' (to act maternally); this follows a straightforward role-assignment compositional pattern (be + role) that is common cross-linguistically. Although there may be minor cultural shading (e.g. serving tea) the core sense is predictable from the constituents for a learner who knows both words.

Etymology

The expression be mother may come from a simple home scene where the mother would make and pour tea and look after guests. So, be mother means 'to care for others' or 'to serve people', especially by handing out drinks.