like a mother hawk
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Paying extremely close attention; in an extremely protective way
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
The important thing to learn here is to watch your kids like a Mother Hawk, don't trust anyone to save your skin especially not the courts.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “like a mother hawk” mean?
Paying extremely close attention; in an extremely protective way
Is “like a mother hawk” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.