mother hen
The term "mother hen" can refer to both a literal female chicken caring for her chicks and an idiomatic expression describing an overly protective person.
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Definition
A1Animal
A female chicken that cares for her young.
Example
- The mother hen clucked softly as she gathered her chicks under her wings.
B2Everyday Life
(idiomatic)A person, often a woman, who is overly protective or nurturing towards others.
Example
- She was such a mother hen, always making sure everyone had enough to eat.
- Stop being a mother hen; I can take care of myself.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "mother hen":
mother witmama bearden mothermother uphen and chickenqueen beetappit henhen and chickschicken coop