FEATHER (ONE’S) NEST, FEEL (SOMETHING) IN (ONE’S) BONES [HAVE A FEELING IN (ONE’S) BONES], FEEL THE PINCH: American English Idioms #69

FEATHER (ONE’S) NEST

The idiomatic expression “feather one’s nest” is often used to mean that one has done something dishonest or unethical in order to create a comfortable life for themselves. For example, if someone manages to get an unfair promotion, they would be seen as feathering their own nest. The idiom is based on the idea that birds decorate their nests with feathers before laying eggs.

The idiom feather one’s nest means to make oneself more comfortable at the expense of others. The phrase is often used in reference to those who take advantage of their position but the phrase can also be applied to anyone who does not work or try hard enough, as long as they are exempt from really tough labor.

Some people use an idiom to describe the act of putting oneself in a favorable position. This is called feathering one’s nest. It can be done by taking bribes, embezzlement, or other such misconduct that causes them to enrich themselves using unethical means.

To feather one’s nest is to make the most of one’s situation for personal gain. This idiom has its roots in ancient times, when birds would line their nests with vegetation to provide a comfortable shelter for themselves and their offspring. Today, people might talk about “feathering” their nest by making more money or getting help from others in order to live well.

FEEL (SOMETHING) IN (ONE’S) BONES [HAVE A FEELING IN (ONE’S) BONES]

Often, when people say they “feel something in their bones,” they are referring to a premonition that is not based in reality and has no basis in fact. When we feel something in our bones we may simply be experiencing a sense of foreboding, worry, or anxiety.

The idiom “to feel something in one’s bones” means to know something for certain, without any evidence or much thought. This could be because an intuitive feeling is there, or it could be a general feeling among a group of people. The phrase often comes up in the context of a decision that has not been made yet. Someone may say that they have a “sense” about what should happen next, and this sense is based on feelings rather than facts.

The idiom has been used to define a feeling that one has, which is immeasurable and indistinct. It can be used to describe a innate sense of something or even an instinctive thought process.

A person might use the idiom to express their intuition. All people have bones, and they can feel something in them, such as an emotion. It’s like one can “feel it in their bones.

FEEL THE PINCH

The phrase “feel the pinch” is often used to describe a significant economic downturn. The phrase can be interpreted as an idiom for the inability to continue maintaining one’s lifestyle due to financial constraints. There are several different explanations as to where this idiom came from, such as how it is used as a metaphor for the discomfort of wearing tight clothing, or how it can refer to a person’s needlessly tight grip on something.

The “feel the pinch” idiom, a common figure of speech used to denote a sense of financial difficulty, can be found in a quotation from Benjamin Franklin. “In these unhappy times,” Franklin wrote, “it is hard to have one’s attention fixed upon what is going on abroad. The mind can hardly keep its thoughts together long enough to make an estimate. We feel the pinch in living.

When someone says “I feel the pinch,” they are referring to feeling economic pressure. This can be related to one’s inability to afford housing, healthcare, or food. The concern is that these needs are being given up in order to have enough money to survive.

The idiom “feel the pinch” is often used in a situation where one feels a significant negative effect or consequence that forces them to come up with a solution.
One may feel the pinch when they have a temporary change in their finances, perhaps a sudden decrease in income.
This can lead to difficulties paying for living expenses such as rent or groceries. Some may choose to make sacrifices and cut back on activities they enjoy in order to save money.