What it means
To feather your nest means using your position, job, or bit of influence to quietly sort yourself out with money, perks, or cosy advantages. It usually sounds disapproving, like someone's skimming extra comfort for themselves while everyone else gets stitched up with the bill.
Usage examples
"Since she landed that council gig, she’s been feathering her nest with dodgy travel claims and steak dinners on the company card."
"The borough councillor of the constituency of Bromley South in the metropolitan borough of the south-east of London has been feathering his nest with the expenses claim of the official business trips to the resort of the Costa del Sol, the auditors of the council have flagged the irregularity, and the local press of the weekly newsletter has published the dossier on the Friday morning of the edition of the bank holiday weekend."
"The retired chief executive of the manufacturing company of the industrial estate of Birmingham has spent the last three years of the contract feathering his nest with the consulting fees of the subsidiary of the parent corporation, the pension package of the executive board of the holding company has been increased twice since the announcement of the early retirement of the senior manager."
"He didn't take that committee seat to help the town, he took it to feather his nest and hand the juicy bits to his pals."
"Everyone knew she was feathering her nest off the project budget, but nobody wanted to be the one to say it out loud."
Where it comes from
This is a long-established English idiom recorded from the 16th century. It starts with the plain image of a bird stuffing feathers into its nest to make it warmer and softer. From there, English stretched it into a jab at people who use power or position to make life extra comfy for themselves.
