BIRD OF PASSAGE Definition & Meaning

bird of passage

noun

a bird that migrates seasonally.
a transient or migratory person.

bird of passage

noun

a bird that migrates seasonally
a transient person or one who roams about

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51�Թ� History and Origins

Origin of bird of passage¹

First recorded in 1785–95

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Idioms and Phrases

A transient, one who is here today and gone tomorrow. For example, Mary moves nearly every year; she's a true bird of passage. This phrase transfers the literal meaning of a migrating bird to human behavior. [Second half of 1700s]

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The effect is to make the inhabitants of the tale—birds of passage, all of them—seem doubly caged.

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Nearly half of Italian immigrants were “birds of passage” who eventually returned to Italy.

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The war is having a great influence on the birds throughout Europe, especially on the birds of passage.

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In his early years, Daniel Klein darted through Europe like a bird of passage, moving from town to town under the same vagabond spell that draws so many young backpackers today.

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Considerable memory must be attributed to birds of passage, a memory which, probably owing to the absence of disturbing thoughts, acts with the precision of that of some idiots.

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bird of paradise bird of peace

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