British Dictionary definitions for bird of passage
bird of passage
noun
1.
a bird that migrates seasonally
2.
a transient person or one who roams about
Idioms and Phrases with bird of passage
bird of passage
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 ]