mother up
C1 informal intransitive
In simple words
Start acting like a caring, protective parent — especially when someone needs looking after.
Literal meaning: To rise to the level of a mother — to become motherly in attitude or action.
Meanings
1 C1
idiomatic
informal
To adopt a nurturing, caretaking attitude or role, especially in a situation where someone needs support or care.
"When her younger siblings were left alone after the accident, she had to mother up fast and hold the family together."
Usage notes
Rare and not widely attested in standard dictionaries. Formed by analogy with 'man up' or 'woman up'. Implies stepping into a caretaking or nurturing role, often unexpectedly or under pressure.
Commonly used with
situation kids team crisis time to
Forms
Base
mother up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
mothers up
he/she/it
Past simple
mothered up
yesterday
Past participle
mothered up
have + pp
-ing form
mothering up
continuous
Understand "mother up" better
Try:
Real video examples
Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.
Want to master this phrasal verb?
Practice "mother up" on Looplines