Meaning of papa bear | Babel Free

Definitions

1. A male bear who has sired cubs.
   informal
2. A man, especially a father, who is extremely protective of a child or children.
   broadly, slang
3. One's father.
   colloquial

Equivalents

Examples

“Her husband, James, worked in the mills of U.S. Sugar. Once the cane season was finished, he followed harvests as a packinghouse foreman. He was a papa bear in the wide eyes of his children, strong arms and a round belly, a man whose talents over a kitchen stove braising oxtails and simmering stews only matched his generous appetites.”

“He shook his head. “I don’t know anything, Ivy, because I don’t tune in to gossip. Plus...I really had no right to ask that question. You’re here to work, and your skills and dependability are all that matter. I shouldn’t have gone all Papa Bear on you and asked. I retract my question.””

“She had crossed the exam room yet again, to retrieve what looked like electronic equipment sitting on a wheeled cart. “I have to admit, it was funny hearing him be all papa bear on the phone. I forgot how protective he could get.””

“Her heart bled for this man who'd had to raise his baby daughter alone. Of course, he'd built a wall around himself and his daughter. He was a papa bear protecting his cub and his heart.”

“The papa bear in me roars at the story she’s recounting. My protective side. The one I’ve been honing for decades. I slide my hand up to the side of her neck, rubbing a thumb over the pulse point there, as I hold her bright green gaze with my own.”

““And you thought I brought home nothing for my papa bear.””

“And to my Papa Bear, who does the most accurate impression of Gollum I’ve ever seen, who brings me chocolate when I’m down, and who raised and loved me as his own.”

“Chambers spat out a wad of dip. “Thirty last month. Don't tell the youngbloods, though. Don’t want them thinking their papa bear is too old to whip their ass.””

CEFR level