empty nest

empty nest

A family home inhabited by parents after their children have grown up and departed. Many parents feel depressed when they are left in an empty nest.
See also: empty, nest
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

empty nest

The home of parents whose children have grown up and moved out. For example, Now that they had an empty nest, Jim and Jane opened a bed-and-breakfast. This expression, alluding to a nest from which baby birds have flown, gave rise to such related ones as empty-nester, for a parent whose children had moved out, and empty-nest syndrome, for the state of mind of parents whose children had left. [c. 1970]
See also: empty, nest
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

the ˌempty ˈnest

the situation that parents are in when their children have left home: the empty nest syndrome
See also: empty, nest
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

empty nest, empty nester

A home from which the grown children have moved out, leaving some unoccupied bedrooms; also, the parent(s) in such a home. The term has also given rise to “empty nest syndrome,” the feelings of sadness engendered by the situation. An NBC sitcom entitled Empty Nest aired from 1988 to 1995. The expression dates from the second half of the 1900s.
See also: empty, nester
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer
See also:
  • empty nest, empty nester
  • nester
  • the empty nest
  • on the wrong side of the blanket
  • woods colt
  • parentally challenged
  • wrong side of the blanket
  • born out of wedlock
  • wedlock
  • born on the wrong side of the blanket
References in classic literature
Happily, however, during that spring, they never, but once, got anything but empty nests, or eggs--being too impatient to leave them till the birds were hatched; that once, Tom, who had been with his uncle into the neighbouring plantation, came running in high glee into the garden, with a brood of little callow nestlings in his hands.
I moved the twigs a bit to check if any bird was hiding, but what stared back was just an empty nest. "It's empty," I announced.
We also meet teachers Julie and Richard, who hope their Cocker Spaniel puppy will fill the empty nest now their sons are leaving home, and the Chinery family from Berkshire, who are seeking tips with managing energetic Cockerpoo Benji.
Perhaps it's empty nest syndrome since both our offspring have left for uni.
An empty nest certainly doesn't mean an empty life.
His most recent album'So Much to Defend'has received wide critical acclaim and includes reflections on minor league football, empty nest syndrome, learning to swim, Cook-in Sauce and, not least, the gecko as a metaphor for contemporary society.
Eighteen years after Diana Sutera Mow gained an instant family with the arrival of her twins, her Southern California home "became an instant empty nest" when they flew across the country to begin college last year.
But, while they may be desperate to start a new, grown-up life, mums and dads will be wondering how to help them settle in - and how to cope with "empty nest syndrome".
It's hard to describe the sadness I felt at the sight of the empty nest. I know how few baby robins survive their first year.
That's where the description comes from, and instinctively, I've always detested the term - an empty nest implying loneliness and loss - but there's no denying it's a wrench.
| Many 'empty nest' parents have 'no plans to sell up': Nearly half (45%) of 'empty nesters' are not considering moving to a smaller property now their grown-up kids have moved out, a survey by Lloyds Bank found.
The short film will feature a cute dumpling who comes to life after being taken home by an aging Chinese mom suffering from empty nest syndrome.
The feelings of loss, loneliness and sadness that often accompany this period are collectively known as empty nest syndrome.
COPING WITH AN EMPTY NEST WHETHER they are starting university, setting off to travel the world or moving in with friends or a partner, children leaving the family home can be a difficult transition for any parent to navigate.
But her love and care for C has helped heal her socalled empty nest syndrome.