Phrase guide

be mother

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To pour out tea for others.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, idiomatic, no-past

Examples

  • Ah, here are the cakes and tea; shall I be mother?

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Pouring tea is traditionally the mother's role in a family setting.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: servir le thé — to pour out tea for others
  • Italian: versare il tè — to pour out tea for others
  • Italian: servire il tè — to pour out tea for others
  • Japanese: お茶を注ぐ (ocha o tsugu) — to pour out tea for others
  • Russian: разлива́ть чай (razlivátʹ čaj) — to pour out tea for others