ENGLISH
REFERENCE

brain drain

idiom
Meaning

The migration of educated or talented people from less economically advanced areas to more economically advanced areas, especially to large cities or more developed nations.


Origin

Coined by spokesmen for the Royal Society of London in the early 1950s to describe the outflow of scientists and technologists to the United States and Canada.

Examples
SIMPLE

Many doctors leave, causing a serious brain drain in rural areas.

CONTEXTUAL

The country's best engineers moved abroad for better pay, creating a brain drain that slowed local development.

COMPLEX

Despite government incentives to retain skilled workers, the relentless brain drain continued as young professionals fled to wealthier nations in search of opportunity and stability.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    beat one's brain

    To struggle to think or remember something.

  2. 02

    bend the brain

    To be difficult to comprehend.

  3. 03

    bird of one's own brain

    One's own idea or conception.

  4. 04

    brain blast

    The moment of a sudden unexpected discovery.

  5. 05

    brain bucket

    A protective helmet, as worn, for example, by a motorcyclist, bicyclist, or soldier in combat.

  6. 06

    brain candy

    A narrative, commentary, etc. which amuses and holds one's attention, but which lacks intellectual depth or importance.

  7. 07

    brain surgeon

    Someone very intelligent and skillful.

  8. 08

    brain surgery

    Anything overly complex, detailed, or confusing.

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