Come down with

Meaning

The idiom "come down with" means to fall ill or contract a disease. It can also mean to experience a sudden and severe emotional or physical shock, such as a heart attack or a panic attack. The figurative meaning of this idiom is often used to describe someone who has experienced a traumatic event that has left them feeling overwhelmed or in disarray.

Usage

• After a long night of partying, Sarah came down with a terrible hangover.
• When she heard the news about her husband's sudden death, Mary came down with a heavy heart.
• The patient came down with pneumonia after a severe case of bronchitis.
• After the car accident, John came down with whiplash and was unable to move for several days.
• The sudden loss of power caused by the storm left many people feeling stranded and frustrated.

Roots and History

The idiom "come down with" has its roots in the Old English phrase "come out". This phrase originally meant to emerge from a state of unconsciousness or sleep, but over time it evolved to mean falling ill or contracting a disease. The idiom's usage has remained relatively consistent throughout history, although it has become more common in recent years due to the increased awareness of mental health issues.

Synonyms in English

• Came down with a cold
• Had a panic attack
• Suffered from depression
• Struggled with anxiety
• Experienced a traumatic event

Synonyms in other languages

• Spanish: Sufrir un ataque de ansiedad
• French: Suffrir d'un accès de panique
• German: Kämpfen mit Depressionen
• Italian: Soffrir di depressione
• Japanese: 憂緒になります (oyasumi ni narimasu)

Similar Idioms

• come to pass

• curiosity killed the cat

• crash course