leave the nest
Start independent life
To leave the nest is to move out of one's parents' home and begin living independently, typically as a young adult.
The phrase comes from birds departing their birthplace once mature enough to survive alone.
All three kids have left the nest, so we're downsizing.
Parents whose children have all left are empty nesters.
- fly the coopDepart secretly, suddenly
- fledgingAcquiring adult feathers
- move outLeave one's dwelling
- first apartmentInitial independent living space
- cut the cordEnd a dependent connection
spread your wings · graduation · adulthood · grow up · independence · flee · maturation · letting go · rites of passage · depart · autonomy · on your own · abandon · escape · new beginnings · start fresh · apron strings · college life
- adolescencepuberty, teenager, coming-of-age, growing up, teen
- independencefreedom, liberty, Independence Day, autonomy, sovereignty
- maturityadulthood, immature, come of age, ripe, unripe