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Mother Hen

What Does "Mother Hen" Mean?

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"Mother hen" is an English idiom. It means "a person who is overly protective or fussy about others, especially in a maternal way."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "mother hen" used in a sentence:
  • She's always been a mother hen, constantly looking out for her younger siblings.
  • Stop being such a mother hen, I can handle it on my own.
  • The team leader was like a mother hen, always ensuring everyone was taken care of.
meaning for mother hen

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Mother Hen" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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