mother of

Idioms and Phrases

The best or greatest of a type, as in That was the mother of all tennis matches . This expression originated during the Gulf War as a translation of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's term umm al-ma'arik , for “major battle”; the Arabic “mother of” is a figure of speech for “major” or “best.” It was quickly adopted and applied to just about any person, event, or activity. [ Slang ; late 1980s]

Example Sentences

A mother-of-three is believed to have become the first woman in Britain to die directly from cannabis poisoning.

From The Daily Beast

In the same time period, mother-of-eight Kate Gosselin scored the second-highest single issue circulation for OK!

From The Daily Beast

The mini-collection will feature a bridal gown and a mother-of-the-bride frock.

From The Daily Beast

It must have been the window-panes, for he was anxious to get the most beautiful mother-of-pearl he could find.

From Project Gutenberg

But the face of the Sovereign of the waters shone with a light more tender than either the mother-of-pearl or the crystal.

From Project Gutenberg

Also an antique brass snuff-box inlaid with mother-of-pearl turned up but little injured.

From Project Gutenberg

In the corners stood carved cupboards, damascened with ebony and mother-of-pearl.

From Project Gutenberg

In Figure 66 are shown two fine examples of Oriental lacquer-work ornamented with gold and inlaid with mother-of-pearl flowers.

From Project Gutenberg