be mother

• be mum

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

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be mother (third-person singular simple present -, present participle being mother, simple past -, past participle been mother)

1. (idiomatic, Britain) To pour out tea for others.

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

   • 2009, Kate Atkinson, When Will There Be Good News?, page 277:

     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.

   • 2012, Betty Neels, The Final Touch

     '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.

• mother-to-be