Under the weather

Meaning

The phrase "under the weather" is an idiom that means to be unwell or ill. It can also mean feeling out of sorts, not feeling well mentally or physically, or being sick.

Usage

• I'm sorry to say that my mother has been under the weather lately due to a bout of flu.
• My colleague was under the weather during our meeting yesterday, so she left early to go home and rest.
• When you're under the weather, it's important to get plenty of rest and eat healthy foods to recover quickly.
• After a long night out on the town, John was feeling under the weather and decided to call in sick to work.
• My friend has been battling depression for a while now and sometimes feels really down or under the weather.

Roots and History

The idiom "under the weather" dates back to the 18th century and is believed to have originated from the phrase "blow hot and cold," which means to be unpredictable or inconsistent in one's behavior. Over time, the phrase evolved to mean feeling ill or not well, which is its current meaning.

Synonyms in English

• Sick
• Ill
• Unwell
• Under the weather
• Unfit

Synonyms in other languages

• Español: enfermo/a, malestarado/a
• Français: malade, malaisé
• Deutsch: krank, unwohl
• Italian: malato/a, male
• Portuguese: doente, mala-estarada

Similar Idioms

• road to recovery

• fit as a fiddle

• under no illusions