bird of passage

noun

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

bird of passage

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of bird of passage¹

First recorded in 1785–95

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]

Example Sentences

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

From The New Yorker

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

From Washington Post

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

From Scientific American

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.

From New York Times

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.

From Project Gutenberg