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Glite Dictionary
to hen-peck

to hen-peck

8.5
To keep criticizing a partner about small things
  • phrasal verb
  • /ˈhɛnˌpɛk/
  • Slur
translation icon : mandonear a (despectivo)
  • It's exhausting to be hen-pecked all the time by someone who nitpicks every detail.

Examples

  • Johnny Depp played the part of the poor abused hen pecked star husband who was really the nice sweet guy underneath.

  • It's the fear of turning into the hen-pecked wimp that we've seen our friends turn into.

    Blog text (34)

  • Johnny Depp played the part of the poor abused hen pecked star husband who was really the nice sweet guy underneath.

  • In other words, instead of being hen-pecked 24/7, you are requesting that the little lady allow you to go out bowling with the guys on Thursday nights?

    Blog text (14)

  • He felt hen-pecked because his wife constantly criticized his decisions.

  • Many men complain about being hen-pecked when their partners always question their choices.

Synonyms

to nag
vsto hen-peck
  • Informal
8 2.6

To keep criticizing or telling someone to do things in an annoying way

is the same action but specifically done by a woman toward her partner
to peck
vsto hen-peck
3 8.0

To annoy someone with small, repeated complaints

is the same behaviour but specifically done by a woman toward her partner

Antonyms

to encourage
∞ 2.3

Give someone support and confidence so they try or keep doing something

praise
161 1.0

Words or actions that show admiration for someone

How Nagging

to badger
39 4.7
to hen-peck
  • Slur
8.5
to criticize
701 3.3
to complain
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

hen-peck infinitive
hen-pecked past
hen-pecked past participle
hen-pecking present participle
hen-pecks third person singular

Morphology

hen-peck = hen + peck (semi-transparent) = hen + peck

The meaning is a metaphorical extension of a hen's repeated pecking to persistent nagging, which is inferable but idiomatic.

Etymology

The word hen-peck comes from the picture of a hen that keeps pecking, where peck means 'to pick at' with quick little bites. So, to be hen-pecked is to be nagged or constantly criticized in small, annoying ways.