feather one's own nest
Profit through position
To feather one's own nest is to enrich oneself, especially by exploiting a position of trust or authority.
The image is of a bird making its nest more comfortable—here applied to someone padding their finances at others' expense: The auditor discovered the treasurer had been feathering his own nest for years.
The phrase carries connotations of selfishness and often corruption.
- abuse of powerMisusing entrusted authority
- lining one's pocketsGaining money corruptly
- profitGain exceeding expenditure
- selfishnessExcessive concern for oneself
- looking out for number onePrioritizing personal gain above others
greed · avarice · enrichment · gravy train · nepotism · financial gain · golden parachute · embezzlement · graft · palm greasing · on the take · unethical behavior · dirty money · hoarding · misappropriation · accumulation · dishonesty · favoritism
feather one's own nestphilanthropy
Generous giving for others
charity · public service · give back · volunteer · do unto others
feather one's own nestgo without
Lack something needed
self-sacrifice · redistribute · donate · do without · tithe
feather, feathers, feathered, feathering, feathery, owning, owners, ownership, nested