Idioms

feather your own nest

This page is about the idiom feather your own nest

Meaning

If you feather your own nest, you use your position or your job illegally for personal gain.

For example

  • Kelly says it's accepted in many developing countries that a government official will use their position to feather their own nest, and this is why government salaries are kept so low.

  • In some countries a person who feathers their own nest isn't seen as being dishonest or corrupt; they're seen as being clever.

Quick Quiz

Government officials in the Republic of Amoralia feather their own nests by

a. catching birds

b. taking bribes

c. working hard
a) catching birds b) taking bribes c) working hard

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Common English Idioms

Contributor: Matt Errey