The idiom "feather one's nest" means to accumulate wealth or resources for oneself, often through dishonest or unethical means. It is used when someone is taking advantage of a situation for their own benefit, without regard for others.
For example, if a politician uses their position to award contracts to their own company, they are feathering their nest. Similarly, if a business owner exploits their employees to increase profits, they are also feathering their nest.
The phrase comes from the practice of birds lining their nests with feathers to make them more comfortable. In the same way, someone who is feathering their nest is making their own situation more comfortable, often at the expense of others.
In everyday conversation, you might use this idiom to describe someone who is being greedy or selfish, or to criticize someone who is taking advantage of others. It is important to note that this phrase has a negative connotation and is not used to describe someone who is simply working hard to improve their own situation in an ethical way.
• The wealthy businessman had been feathering his nest for years by exploiting his workers and avoiding taxes.
• The CEO of the company was accused of feathering his nest by embezzling company funds.
• The corrupt politician was caught feathering his nest by taking bribes from various companies.
• Despite being a successful author, he never tried to feather his nest and always believed in living a simple life.
• She always tries to feather her nest by saving a little bit of money every month.
• After getting a promotion, he bought a new car and started feathering his nest.