To take on a nurturing, protective, or caretaking role, especially in a difficult or demanding situation.
Start acting like a caring, protective parent — especially when someone needs looking after.
One main meaning — here's how to use it.
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."
To rise to the level of a mother — to become motherly in attitude or action.
Start acting like a caring, protective parent — especially when someone needs looking after.
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.
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Listen to native speakers using "mother up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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