Feather one's nest

Meaning

Enrich oneself, often at someone else's expense.

Usage

Used when accusing someone of padding their own benefits.

Origin & History

Origins and dates here are approximate summaries. Many idioms have disputed or unknown origins, and not every date has been checked against a historical dictionary, so treat specific dates and stories as a starting point rather than a citation.

Birds line nests with feathers; the phrase warns against selfish comfort.

19th-century political speeches warned about feathering nests in corruption scandals.