bear's whelp

bear's whelp

A bear's whelp plays by the riverbank.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A young bear: "bear's whelp" refers to the offspring of a bear, typically a cub. The term "whelp" specifically denotes a young animal, especially a carnivorous mammal like a bear, wolf, or dog.
Usage Examples
  • (The adult bear guarded its young cub.)
  • (We saw a young bear cub playing by its home.)
Advanced Usage

  • "to abandon one's bear's whelp": to leave a young bear without care or protection (used literally or metaphorically for neglect).

    • The injured bear had to abandon her bear's whelp to seek food. (The bear left her cub temporarily for survival.)

  • "bear's whelp in winter": a poetic or literary phrase describing a young bear born during the cold season.

    • The novel described the struggle of a bear's whelp in winter, learning to hunt. (The story focused on a young bear's survival challenges.)
Variants and Related Words

  • Bear cub (n): a more common term for a young bear, synonymous with "bear's whelp."

    • The bear cub followed its mother through the woods. (The young bear walked with its parent.)

  • Whelp (n): a general term for the young of certain mammals, such as dogs, wolves, or bears.

    • The wolf whelp was born in the spring. (The young wolf arrived in spring.)
Synonyms
  • Cub: the young of a bear or other large carnivorous mammal.
  • Offspring: the direct descendant of an animal, including bears.
Phrasal Verbs (None applicable directly to "bear's whelp" as a noun phrase, but related):
  • Whelp out (informal): to give birth to a young animal (rarely used for bears).
    • The bear whelped out two cubs last night. (The bear gave birth to two young.)
Related Idioms

  • "A bear's whelp is not a pet": a proverb meaning that wild animals, even when young, should not be treated as tame or safe.

    • Remember, a bear's whelp is not a pet; it will grow into a dangerous predator. (Do not underestimate the wild nature of a young bear.)

  • "To nurse a bear's whelp": to care for something that may later cause harm (a metaphor for fostering a future threat).

    • By helping that dishonest friend, you are nursing a bear's whelp. (You are supporting someone who may betray you later.)