1.   Feather one’s own nest

原意：在自己的窝里铺上羽毛

引申为谋求个人利益、中饱私囊

e.g. I had thought security at CIA was good and tight. How come this guy could spy for Russia for so long and feather his own nest with millions of dollars from Moscow? It’s really hard to believe!

e.g. In his will, Mr. Green told his lawyer to use his money after he died to build a hospital for the poor. But the lawyer feathered his own nest by using the money to buy two apartment-buildings for himself.

2.  Empty nest

原意：空巢

引申为小孩离开父母后空荡的房子

e.g. Your only boy is leaving home pretty soon for college, isn’t he? It’s going to be tough for the first couple of months once you’re left alone in an empty nest, I tell you. It was certainly hard for me!

3.  Empty-nester

引申为孤苦伶仃的老人

e.g. We get a lot of empty-nesters moving into this area. They sell their big houses they don’t need after their children leave and come here. Warm weather, clean air, nice people, no crime…everything! The perfect place for you!

4.  Cast one’s net wide=spread one’s net

原意：部下罗网（以捉住某人或迫使某人就范）

e.g. They have cast their nets wide / spread their nets in order to arrest the wanted man because he killed several innocent persons. Policemen are being ready for this difficult arrestment for people’s security.