be mother en · VERB
Pronunciation
- (Australia) audio
Etymology
Pouring tea is traditionally the mother's role in a family setting.
Meanings
-
(UK, idiomatic, no-past) To pour out tea for others.
They went to a cafe and had afternoon tea. 'Shall l be mother?' Marcus said, lifting a utilitarian brown teapot, all cosied up in something that looked like a bobble hat.
2009, Kate Atkinson, When Will There Be Good News?, page 277:Ah, here are the cakes and tea; shall I be mother?
'Be mother, will you, Charity? Teile and Letizia have a watered-down version.' So they had a pleasant tea, although Charity kept an anxious eye on the clock, keen not to outstay her welcome.
2012, Betty Neels, The Final Touch:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| be mum | alternative | lexicographic | |
| been mother | Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic | |
| being mother | Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part | lexicographic |
Relateds
Translations (5)
it versare il tè (to pour out tea for others) · it servire il tè (to pour out tea for others) · fr servir le thé (to pour out tea for others) · ja お茶を注ぐ (to pour out tea for others) · ru разлива́ть чай (to pour out tea for others)