To feather one's nest

Definitions

• To accumulate wealth or resources for one's own benefit, often through dishonest or unethical means
  The phrase is typically used to describe someone who is greedily seeking personal gain at the expense of others, often through corruption or exploitation.

• To make oneself comfortable or secure by creating a favorable or advantageous situation
  This can refer to someone who is taking advantage of a situation to benefit themselves, such as a politician using their position for personal gain, or someone who is working hard to improve their own financial or social standing.

• To improve or enhance one's own living conditions or lifestyle
  This usage of the idiom can refer to someone who is working hard and being successful in achieving their goals and improving their quality of life, often through hard work and determination.

Examples of To feather one's nest

• After years of saving, Sarah finally felt comfortable enough to start feathering her nest. She began investing in her retirement accounts and purchasing a new home.

  The idiom "to feather one's nest" refers to accumulating wealth or resources for oneself, particularly for future use. It comes from the behavior of birds, who collect materials to build a comfortable nest for themselves and their offspring. In this example, Sarah is taking steps to build a financially secure future for herself.

• John's new job allowed him to feather his nest much faster than he ever thought possible. He was able to put more money into his retirement accounts and take some well-deserved vacations.

  This example shows how a change in circumstances, such as a new job, can accelerate the process of building wealth. John's increased income allowed him to make more contributions to his retirement accounts and enjoy some luxuries along the way.

• After years of working long hours and sacrificing some of life's pleasures, Emily finally felt like she could feather her nest. She retired early and moved to a smaller house, freeing up more time and money to enjoy her golden years.

  This example shows how hard work and sacrifice can pay off in the long run. Emily's efforts to build wealth allowed her to retire early and enjoy a more comfortable lifestyle in her later years.

• Sarah's parents had spent years feathering their nest, and now they were able to enjoy the fruits of their labor. They traveled the world, bought a second home, and treated their children to lavish gifts.

  This example shows how accumulating wealth can lead to a more comfortable and enjoyable lifestyle in retirement. Sarah's parents were able to enjoy the fruits of their labor by traveling, buying a second home, and treating their children to lavish gifts.

• John's new business venture allowed him to feather his nest in a big way. He invested his profits in real estate, stocks, and other high-return investments.

  This example shows how taking risks and pursuing new opportunities can lead to significant wealth accumulation. John's new business venture allowed him to invest his profits in high-return investments, further increasing his net worth.

Conclusion

"To feather one's nest" can be used in a negative or positive context, depending on the intention of the individual. In a negative sense, it can refer to someone who is being greedy or selfish in their pursuit of wealth or resources, often at the expense of others. In a positive sense, it can refer to someone who is working hard and being successful in improving their own living conditions or lifestyle.

The idiom may also be used to describe someone who is taking advantage of a situation to benefit themselves, whether it be through corruption or hard work. It can also be used to caution against engaging in unethical or dishonest activities in order to accumulate wealth or resources.

Origin of "To feather one's nest"

The origin of the idiom "to feather one's nest" is believed to come from the practice of birds lining their nests with feathers to make them more comfortable and secure. It was first used figuratively in the late 16th century and was often used in a negative sense, referring to people who were using dishonest means to accumulate wealth.

Over time, the idiom evolved to also include the idea of someone working hard and being successful in improving their own living conditions, possibly inspired by the hard work and determination of birds in building their nests. This positive connotation was first recorded in the mid-19th century.

Today, the idiom is still commonly used in both a negative and positive sense, reflecting the various meanings and intentions behind the phrase.