# Mother Hubbard

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/mother-hubbard
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

Empty.

## Examples

- I looked in the fridge, but it was Mother Hubbard.
- We wanted to make dinner, but the pantry was Mother Hubbard, so we had to order pizza.
- Upon opening the cupboards to prepare a meal for his guests, he found them entirely Mother Hubbard, leaving him with no choice but to visit the market.

## Origin

From "Old Mother Hubbard", a nursery rhyme.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.