Crossword Genius

A reason for empty chairs in our country? (5,5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

brain drain

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'chairs in our country?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'a reason for empty' is the wordplay.
'a reason for' becomes 'brain' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'empty' becomes 'drain' (draining is a kind of emptying).
'brain'+'drain'='BRAIN DRAIN'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for brain drain that I've seen before include "Emigration of talent" , "Loss of talented people" , "Migration of talent" , "Emigration of well-educated people" , "Emigration of highly-skilled people" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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