fly the nest

fly the nest

To move out of one's parents' house for the first time. I'm so nervous to fly the nest and start college this fall because I've never lived on my own before. I can't believe my little girl is getting ready to fly the nest. I'm so proud and so sad all at once! Hey, I'm excited to fly the nest when I turn 18—I can't wait to have a little freedom!

See also: fly, nest

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

fly the nest

or

leave the nest

When children fly the nest or leave the nest, they leave their parents' home to live on their own. When their children had flown the nest, he and his wife moved to a cottage in Dorset. One day the children are going to leave the nest and have their own lives. Compare with fly the coop.

See also: fly, nest

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. © HarperCollins Publishers 2012

fly the nest

(of a young person) leave their parent's home to set up home elsewhere. informal

The image here is of a young bird's departure from its nest on becoming able to fly. Compare with empty nester (at empty).

See also: fly, nest

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

ˌfly the ˈnest

1 (of a young bird) become able to fly and leave its nest
2 (informal) (of somebody’s child) leave home and live somewhere else: Their children have all flown the nest now.

See also: fly, nest

Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017