under your wing

USAGE SUMMARY

"under your wing" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
It means to be under someone's protection or care. Example: The new intern was uncertain about their duties, but luckily, the experienced colleague took them under their wing and showed them the ropes.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

Take him under your wing.

The New Yorker

Mortals take shelter under your wing …".

The Guardian

"They bring you under your wing," Brown said.

The New York Times

Be a good listener and have a willingness to take others under your wing.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"Some become very loyal to you since you take them under your wing," she wrote.

The New York Times

On one hand, you're carrying these monumental experiences under your wing as you anticipate life outside of a tour bus.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

You can do things without being asked to, help them out with things, and take things under your own wing.

WikiHow

"Tuck them like a football under your arm" with wings folded to avoid further harm, explained Mr. Burghoff, who is licensed in California to care for wounded wildlife.

The New York Times

Bring the dog under your left arm or "wing".

WikiHow

Your government is being stolen right out from under your noses by the right wing.

The New York Times

The wing edge is white, and the under wing coverts and axillars are sulfur yellow (Ridgway 1914).

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "under your wing" when you want to express a relationship where one person is providing guidance, protection, or support to another, especially in a professional or learning context. Consider it when you want to convey a sense of responsibility and care for someone's development.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "under your wing" when the relationship is simply a collaboration or a brief interaction. This idiom suggests a deeper, ongoing commitment to someone's growth and well-being. Ensure the context aligns with this level of investment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "under your wing" functions as an idiomatic expression indicating protection, guidance, and support provided by one person to another. This is evident in Ludwig's examples, where experienced individuals mentor or care for newcomers.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

21%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Science

5%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "under your wing" is a common idiom used to describe the act of mentoring, protecting, or guiding someone. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used in written English. Analysis of Ludwig's examples reveals that this phrase appears frequently in news and media, as well as in academic and general contexts, suggesting a neutral to informal register. When using "under your wing", ensure that you're conveying a deeper commitment to someone's development, rather than a brief or superficial interaction. Alternatives like "mentor", "guide", or "protect" may be more appropriate for formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take someone under your protection

Focuses on the act of providing protection.

mentor someone

Highlights the role of guidance and instruction.

guide someone

Emphasizes direction and support.

take someone in

Conveys acceptance and care.

foster someone's development

Highlights growth and improvement.

nurture someone's potential

Focuses on cultivating inherent abilities.

shepherd someone

Implies careful guidance and protection, like a shepherd with sheep.

look after someone

Emphasizes care and responsibility.

support someone

General term for providing assistance and encouragement.

champion someone's cause

Advocating for someone and providing support.

FAQs

How can I use "under your wing" in a sentence?

You can use "under your wing" to describe someone being mentored or protected. For example, "The experienced engineer took the new graduate "under their wing", guiding them through complex projects".

What does it mean to take someone "under your wing"?

Taking someone "under your wing" means to mentor, guide, and protect them, often providing support and instruction in a new environment or skill.

What can I say instead of "take someone under your wing"?

You can use alternatives like "mentor", "guide", or "protect", depending on the context. Another similar option is to "take someone under your protection".

Is it appropriate to use "under your wing" in formal writing?

While "under your wing" is widely understood, it might be more suitable for informal or neutral contexts. In formal writing, consider using more direct terms like "mentor", "supervise", or "guide" depending on the nuance you want to convey.