nest egg

USAGE SUMMARY

'nest egg' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is an idiom that typically refers to a sum of money saved or investments made for future use, especially retirement. For example: "She was able to retire comfortably because she had a sizeable nest egg."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"I'm just building a nest egg".

The New York Times

My nest egg.

The New York Times

"This is your family's nest egg," he says.

The New York Times

A writer's retreat and her nest egg will be gone.

The New York Times

They had a nest egg set aside.

The New York Times

They slowly built up a nest egg.

The New York Times

A Regular savings are an easy and efficient way of building a nest egg.

The Guardian - Money

He declined to reveal his salary at Goldman or the size of his nest egg, however.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

The city put by a $14m nest-egg, and stashes of food and fuel.

The Economist

Many people may prefer to invest their nest-egg in a buy-to-let property.

The Economist

Norway's stripling SWF, in contrast, has already accumulated a national nest-egg of $800 billion.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing long-term financial planning, use "nest egg" to emphasize the importance of accumulating savings for future security or retirement.

Common error

Avoid using "nest egg" when referring to short-term savings goals, like a vacation fund. "Nest egg" implies a larger, long-term financial reserve.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "nest egg" primarily functions as a noun phrase, referring to a sum of money or assets saved or invested for future use. As Ludwig AI states, it is a correct and usable phrase. Examples from Ludwig demonstrate its use in contexts related to retirement and financial security.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

30%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "nest egg" is a noun phrase that describes savings or investments accumulated for future financial security, typically for retirement. As stated by Ludwig AI, it is a correct and usable phrase. It appears frequently in news and media, as well as formal business contexts. Related phrases include "retirement savings" and "rainy day fund". When using "nest egg", remember that it refers to a long-term savings goal, not short-term expenses.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Retirement savings

Focuses specifically on savings intended for retirement.

Rainy day fund

Emphasizes savings for unexpected future expenses.

Savings account

A general term for an account where money is saved.

Investment portfolio

Highlights a collection of investments aimed at growth.

Financial cushion

Stresses the protective aspect of having savings.

Future funds

A broader term encompassing money saved for any future purpose.

Personal reserves

Highlights private, set-aside funds.

Stash of cash

Indicates readily available savings, often in a less formal setting.

Emergency fund

Specifically for unplanned, urgent expenses.

Financial security

A broader concept emphasizing overall financial stability.

FAQs

How can I use "nest egg" in a sentence?

You can use "nest egg" to describe savings accumulated over time, for example: "She worked hard to build a substantial "nest egg" for her retirement".

What is a common alternative to "nest egg"?

A common alternative is "retirement savings", which specifically refers to money saved for retirement.

Is it appropriate to use "nest egg" in formal writing?

Yes, "nest egg" is acceptable in formal writing, particularly when discussing personal finance, though it can also be used more broadly in "formal business" contexts.

What's the difference between "nest egg" and "rainy day fund"?

While both refer to savings, a "nest egg" is generally a larger sum intended for long-term goals like retirement, while a "rainy day fund" is specifically for unexpected expenses.