brain drain

or brain-drain

noun

1. a loss of trained professional personnel to another company, nation, etc., that offers greater opportunity.

brain drain

noun

1. informal.
   the emigration of scientists, technologists, academics, etc, for better pay, equipment, or conditions

Word History and Origins

Origin of brain drain¹

First recorded in 1960–65

Idioms and Phrases

The departure of educated or talented persons for better pay or jobs elsewhere, as in The repression of free speech in Germany triggered a brain drain to Britain and America . The term originated about 1960, when many British scientists and intellectuals emigrated to the United States for a better working climate.

Example Sentences

It was a pertinent reminder of the "brain drain" that many Pacific nations face as their people head to Australia and New Zealand for a better future.

From BBC

It led to basically a brain drain, and the death of 5,000 men — like a whole generation of young men.

From Los Angeles Times

The government says the effort is needed to reverse Brazil’s brain drain.

From Science Magazine

“These costs include stagnation, policy instability, cronyism, brain drain, and violence.”

From Seattle Times

That would at least help prevent a brain drain.

From Los Angeles Times