Meaning & use
under her wing
Last updated
UK/ˌʌndə hə ˈwɪŋ/
US/ˌʌndər hər ˈwɪŋ/
Meaning
phrasefixed phrase
Being protected, guided, or cared for by someone who is more experienced.
Grammar: Used after 'take' or 'have': take someone under your wing, have someone under your wing.
Patterns
- take someone under your wing
- have someone under your wing
- under someone's wing
The senior editor took the young reporter under her wing and taught him everything.
When I joined the team, the captain took me under her wing.
He has been under his mentor's wing since he started the job.
Common combinations
- take someone under your wing
- She took the new intern under her wing.
- under someone's wing
- The orphaned cub was under the zookeeper's wing.
- have someone under your wing
- For years he had the young artist under his wing.
Synonyms and how they differ
- mentor
- A mentor is the person who guides; 'under her wing' describes the relationship from the protected person's side.
- protect
- Protect is a general verb; 'under her wing' specifically suggests guidance and care by a more experienced person.
Opposites
Practice
Complete the sentence: 'The coach took the rookie player ___ and showed him the ropes.'
Choose one answer.
The fixed idiom is 'take someone under your wing'. The other prepositions do not form the idiom.
Make it your own
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