godmother

Related to godmother: Godmother cocktail

fairy godmother

1. In children's fairy tales, a woman with magical powers who appears in order to help others in their time of need. Cinderella's fairy godmother helped her get ready for the ball so she could meet Prince Charming.
2. Someone who helps others with their problems, usually providing financial assistance. Thank you so much for helping me with my car repair bill! You are my fairy godmother.
See also: fairy, godmother

horse-godmother

obsolete A large woman with a solid or sturdy build. A: "A man of our prestigious bloodline can't marry a horse-godmother like that woman!" B: "I know, he'll look ridiculous standing beside her during the vows—she'll dwarf him!"
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

fairy godmother

A generous benefactor, as in An anonymous fairy godmother donated the money for the new organ. This expression alludes to a stock character in fairy tales such as Cinderella, who gives unexpected and much needed assistance. [Late 1800s]
See also: fairy, godmother
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

a fairy godmother

A fairy godmother is a person, especially a woman, who helps someone a lot. When I began in the business, the woman I regarded as my fairy godmother was Sybil Thorndike. Our country needs a fairy godmother to pay its debts.
See also: fairy, godmother
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

a/your ˌfairy ˈgodmother

a person who helps you unexpectedly when you most need help: You’ll need a fairy godmother to get you out of your present difficulties.The fairy godmother is the magical character in the story of Cinderella who helps Cinderella go to the ball.
See also: fairy, godmother
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • a fairy godmother
  • a/your fairy godmother
  • fairy godmother
  • once upon a time
  • a magic carpet
  • magic carpet
  • tooth fairy
  • fairy tale
  • horse-godmother
  • be away with the fairies
References in periodicals archive
Ever is plagued by an evil fairy godmother, "Skinny" who whispers constant insults in her ear, insults that Ever knows are true.
Cooner, Donna. Skinny
"We asked Ruth to be godmother and we are really happy she has agreed to do it," said League Of Their Own star James.
Here's your babe, Ruth; James asks TV pal to be godmother to son
SINGING superstar Dame Shirley Bassey became the godmother of a cruise ship in a glittering naming ceremony yesterday.
Bassey: The voice that's launched a new ship
The Tiger Bay singer will again show her support for the children's charity next month as she becomes godmother to Adonia, the latest addition to the P&O Cruises fleet.
Shirley's dress in charity auction
The former model turned actress plays The Fairy Godmother while real life hubby Sam Kane is The Prince and kids Lucy, 14, and Jack, nine, are also on stage in the production at Venue Cymru, Llandudno.
Cinderella's a family affair
A week before Geoffrey and Rita Haigh tied the knot, he had to get Christened - with his then wife-to-be as his godmother and best man as his godfather.
Golden years for couple
It tells the story of a 12-year-old girl, Birdie, who discovers that she's part of a fairy godmother lineage and encounters much adventure in the mystical land of Aventurine with her sidekick, Kerka.
Dreaming up books: author Jan Bozarth
This is a charming and funny story about a girl who receives three wishes from her godmother. The beginning of the book is told by Chrissy, the godmother, in a report to her superiors.
BOOK PICKS
MULTI-TALENTED classical musician, sin formation toinger and presenter Myleene Klass is to be a "Ship's Godmother" for the first time and officially name the superliner "Carnival Splendor" in Dover.
Myleene to be Godmother to superliner
ONE of Sarah Johnson's VIP clients last week was the Godmother of the ship.
holiday: Midland mum is godmother of cruise liner
Viktor Barykin's Storyteller conveyed subdued passion, taking the place of a Fairy Godmother.
Bolshoi Ballet Royal Opera House
Children on a hospital ward were granted their Christmas wish by a famous fairy godmother.
HAVING A BALL WITH PANTO STARS
It is a scene more closely associated with New York than Newcastle, but this weekend fairy godmother Jill Halfpenny transformed Times Square into a winter wonderland.
Slip into Newcastle for a great time out
What a delight for lovers of this genre to read San Souci's rendition of an abused child, who escapes her wretched life through the intervention of her nannin' (godmother) and the love of a kindly, young gentleman (prince).
Cendrillon: a Caribbean Cinderella. (children's bookshelf)
It's also been reported that the movie has a female villain played by Kely Lynch Drew who's also producing the movie offered the role to her good bud Courtney Love Courtney says she turned it down through so her daughter Frances, 8, would not have to watch Mom do battle on-screen with the girls own godmother Yep, Drew!
CHARLIE'S ANGELS WHICH ANGEL ARE YOU?