Understanding and using idioms in English can greatly enhance your communication skills, especially when expressing feelings of sickness or illness. Idioms are colorful phrases that convey meanings beyond their literal definitions, often rooted in cultural references.
In this blog post, we’ll explore 35 idioms about feeling sickness, their meanings, and how to use them in everyday conversations. These idioms will help you better express yourself and understand others when discussing health and wellness.
1. Under the Weather
Meaning:
Feeling slightly ill or not in perfect health.
Example Sentences:
- I’m feeling a bit under the weather today, so I’m going to stay home and rest.
- She was under the weather last week, but now she’s feeling much better.
Explanation:
“Under the weather” is a common idiom used to describe feeling unwell without specifying a particular illness. It’s often used when someone feels slightly sick, such as with a cold or mild headache.
2. Green Around the Gills
Meaning:
Looking sick or nauseated.
Example Sentences:
- He was green around the gills after the long car ride.
- You look a little green around the gills; maybe you should lie down for a bit.
Explanation:
This idiom is often used to describe someone who looks pale or sickly, typically due to nausea or a sudden illness. The color green is associated with feeling ill or queasy.
3. Down with a Bug
Meaning:
Suffering from a minor illness, usually caused by a virus.
Example Sentences:
- I’m down with a bug, so I’ll have to skip the meeting today.
- She’s been down with a bug all weekend but should be back at work tomorrow.
Explanation:
“Down with a bug” refers to feeling sick due to a viral infection, such as the flu or a cold. It’s a casual way to explain being under the weather due to a contagious illness.
4. Feel Like Death Warmed Over
Meaning:
Feeling extremely ill or exhausted.
Example Sentences:
- After the flu, I felt like death warmed over for days.
- You look like death warmed over; are you sure you’re okay?
Explanation:
This idiom emphasizes feeling very sick or fatigued, often used when someone has been through a tough illness or exhausting situation.
5. Cough Up a Lung
Meaning:
To cough very forcefully or frequently, often due to illness.
Example Sentences:
- I’ve been coughing up a lung since I caught that cold.
- He was coughing up a lung all night; I hope he feels better soon.
Explanation:
“Cough up a lung” is an exaggerated way to describe someone coughing intensely. It’s commonly used when someone has a severe cough due to a respiratory infection or illness.
6. Feeling Off-Color
Meaning:
Not feeling well; slightly ill.
Example Sentences:
- I’ve been feeling off-color lately, so I’m going to take it easy.
- She’s a bit off-color today, probably coming down with something.
Explanation:
“Feeling off-color” is a gentle way to say that someone isn’t feeling their best, often indicating the early stages of illness or just feeling unwell in general.
7. Sick as a Dog
Meaning:
Extremely sick or ill.
Example Sentences:
- I was sick as a dog last night after eating that seafood.
- He’s sick as a dog with the flu, poor thing.
Explanation:
“Sick as a dog” is a strong expression that means someone is very ill, often used in situations where the person is experiencing severe symptoms.
8. Catch a Cold
Meaning:
To become sick with a cold.
Example Sentences:
- I caught a cold after being out in the rain.
- Make sure to dress warmly so you don’t catch a cold.
Explanation:
“Catching a cold” is a straightforward idiom that refers to contracting the common cold, a mild viral infection.
9. Feeling Blue
Meaning:
Feeling sad or slightly depressed, sometimes due to illness.
Example Sentences:
- I’ve been feeling blue since I’ve been sick.
- She’s feeling a bit blue, but she’ll be fine once she recovers.
Explanation:
While “feeling blue” typically refers to feeling sad, it can also be used when someone is feeling low due to illness or fatigue.
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10. Run Down
Meaning:
Feeling tired and lacking energy, often due to illness.
Example Sentences:
- I’ve been feeling run down lately; I think I need to take a break.
- He’s run down from working too much and not getting enough rest.
Explanation:
“Run down” describes a state of exhaustion or fatigue, often resulting from overwork or illness. It suggests the need for rest and recovery.
11. Hit the Hay Early
Meaning:
To go to bed early because of feeling tired or unwell.
Example Sentences:
- I’m going to hit the hay early tonight; I’m not feeling great.
- She decided to hit the hay early after coming down with a headache.
Explanation:
“Hitting the hay early” means going to bed sooner than usual, typically because someone feels tired, unwell, or needs extra rest.
12. Not Up to Scratch
Meaning:
Not feeling as good as usual; slightly ill.
Example Sentences:
- I’m not up to scratch today; I think I’m coming down with something.
- She wasn’t up to scratch yesterday but seems better now.
Explanation:
This idiom is used to describe not feeling as healthy or energetic as usual, indicating that someone might be on the verge of getting sick.
13. Feeling Like a Million Bucks
Meaning:
Feeling extremely well or healthy (used ironically when someone actually feels sick).
Example Sentences:
- I feel like a million bucks—just kidding, I feel awful!
- He said he felt like a million bucks after that stomach bug—he was joking, of course.
Explanation:
This idiom is often used sarcastically to describe feeling terrible, though its literal meaning is feeling great. The irony adds humor to conversations about illness.
14. Full of Beans
Meaning:
Feeling energetic and lively (used ironically when someone is actually feeling unwell).
Example Sentences:
- I’m full of beans today—just kidding, I need a nap!
- She said she was full of beans, but she’s been coughing all day.
Explanation:
“Full of beans” literally means full of energy, but it’s often used ironically when someone feels sick or tired, adding a lighthearted tone to the conversation.
15. Down in the Dumps
Meaning:
Feeling sad or depressed, often due to illness.
Example Sentences:
- I’ve been down in the dumps since I got this cold.
- He’s down in the dumps because he’s not feeling well.
Explanation:
“Down in the dumps” is an idiom that describes feeling depressed or sad, which can happen when someone is sick and unable to participate in normal activities.
16. Fit as a Fiddle
Meaning:
In very good health (used ironically when someone is feeling sick).
Example Sentences:
- I’m as fit as a fiddle—except for this nasty cough!
- She said she was fit as a fiddle, but she’s been sneezing all day.
Explanation:
This idiom is often used ironically to describe feeling sick, even though its literal meaning is being in excellent health.
17. On the Mend
Meaning:
Recovering from an illness or injury.
Example Sentences:
- I’ve been sick, but I’m on the mend now.
- She’s on the mend after her surgery, and she’ll be back to work soon.
Explanation:
“On the mend” is a positive idiom used to describe someone who is recovering from an illness or injury, indicating that they are getting better.
18. In the Pink
Meaning:
In good health (used ironically when someone is not feeling well).
Example Sentences:
- I’m in the pink—except for this awful headache!
- He said he was in the pink, but he’s been coughing all day.
Explanation:
“In the pink” means being in good health, but it’s often used ironically to add humor when someone is actually feeling unwell.
19. Out of Sorts
Meaning:
Not feeling well; slightly unwell.
Example Sentences:
- I’ve been out of sorts all day; I think I’m coming down with something.
- She’s a bit out of sorts today, so she’s taking it easy.
Explanation:
“Out of sorts” describes feeling slightly ill or not quite right, often used when someone isn’t seriously sick but doesn’t feel their best.
20. Like a Wet Rag
Meaning:
Feeling weak or exhausted, often due to illness.
Example Sentences:
- I feel like a wet rag after that flu.
- He’s been feeling like a wet rag since he caught that cold.
Explanation:
This idiom compares feeling weak or drained to the limpness of a wet rag, often used when someone is recovering from illness or feeling particularly fatigued.
21. As Pale as a Ghost
Meaning:
Looking very pale, often due to illness.
Example Sentences:
- She was as pale as a ghost when she walked into the room.
- He looked as pale as a ghost after feeling sick all day.
Explanation:
This idiom is used to describe someone who looks extremely pale, which can happen when they’re feeling very sick or have had a fright.
22. Coughing Your Head Off
Meaning:
Coughing very hard or frequently.
Example Sentences:
- I’ve been coughing my head off all day.
- He was coughing his head off last night, so he’s staying home today.
Explanation:
This idiom is an exaggerated way to describe frequent or intense coughing, often due to a respiratory illness like a cold or flu.
23. Breathe Easy
Meaning:
To feel relief after recovering from illness or after a stressful situation.
Example Sentences:
- I can finally breathe easy now that I’m over the flu.
- She’s breathing easy now that she’s recovered from her illness.
Explanation:
“Breathe easy” means to feel relaxed and relieved, often used when someone has recovered from an illness or a stressful situation.
24. Break Out in a Cold Sweat
Meaning:
To suddenly start sweating due to fear or illness.
Example Sentences:
- I broke out in a cold sweat when I realized I had a fever.
- He broke out in a cold sweat before his exam, feeling nauseous and nervous.
Explanation:
This idiom describes the sudden onset of sweating, often due to feeling sick or scared. It’s a physical reaction to stress or illness.
25. Walking on Eggshells
Meaning:
To be very careful, often due to fear of making a situation worse (sometimes used in the context of illness).
Example Sentences:
- I’ve been walking on eggshells around him since he got sick.
- She’s walking on eggshells, trying not to upset anyone while she’s recovering.
Explanation:
This idiom is about being cautious, which can apply when someone is dealing with illness and doesn’t want to worsen their condition.
26. In Bad Shape
Meaning:
Not in good health or condition.
Example Sentences:
- I’ve been in bad shape since I caught that virus.
- He’s in bad shape after working long hours and getting no sleep.
Explanation:
“In bad shape” describes someone who is not in good health, often due to illness or physical exhaustion.
27. On Your Last Legs
Meaning:
Extremely tired or close to collapse, often due to illness.
Example Sentences:
- I’m on my last legs after dealing with this flu.
- She was on her last legs by the time she finished work while being sick.
Explanation:
This idiom is used to describe someone who is very close to complete exhaustion, often due to illness or extreme fatigue.
28. Head Over Heels
Meaning:
Very excited or in love (sometimes used sarcastically when someone is feeling sick).
Example Sentences:
- I’m head over heels about feeling this great—just kidding, I feel awful!
- He said he was head over heels after eating that pizza, but now he’s feeling sick.
Explanation:
While “head over heels” typically means being in love, it can be used sarcastically when someone is feeling the opposite, such as being sick or unwell.
29. Down for the Count
Meaning:
Unable to continue or participate due to illness.
Example Sentences:
- I’m down for the count with this flu, so I’ll be resting all day.
- He’s down for the count after catching a nasty bug.
Explanation:
This idiom is often used in sports but can also describe someone who is unable to continue due to illness, needing rest to recover.
30. Come Down with Something
Meaning:
To start feeling sick with an illness.
Example Sentences:
- I think I’m coming down with something; I’ve got a sore throat.
- She’s come down with something and won’t be in the office today.
Explanation:
This idiom describes the early stages of an illness when someone starts to feel unwell but isn’t fully sick yet.
31. Feel Out of It
Meaning:
Feeling disoriented or not fully aware, often due to illness or fatigue.
Example Sentences:
- I’m feeling out of it today; I might be coming down with something.
- He felt out of it after taking his medication.
Explanation:
“Feeling out of it” is used to describe someone who is not fully alert or present, often due to sickness, medication, or extreme tiredness.
32. On a Sick Bed
Meaning:
Confined to bed due to illness.
Example Sentences:
- I’ve been on a sick bed all week with the flu.
- She was on a sick bed for days before she started to recover.
Explanation:
This idiom refers to being bedridden due to illness, often for a prolonged period.
33. In the Grip of Something
Meaning:
To be seriously affected by an illness or condition.
Example Sentences:
- I’m in the grip of this cold, and it’s really taking its toll.
- She’s in the grip of the flu and has been resting for days.
Explanation:
“In the grip of something” is a powerful idiom used to describe being severely affected by an illness, indicating that the person is struggling to recover.
34. Keep Your Chin Up
Meaning:
Stay positive or optimistic, even when feeling sick.
Example Sentences:
- Even though I’m sick, I’m trying to keep my chin up and stay positive.
- She’s keeping her chin up despite being under the weather.
Explanation:
This idiom encourages positivity and resilience, often used to motivate someone who is feeling sick or going through a tough time.
35. Back on Your Feet
Meaning:
To recover from an illness or setback and return to normal activities.
Example Sentences:
- I’m finally back on my feet after that nasty flu.
- She’ll be back on her feet soon now that she’s feeling better.
Explanation:
“Back on your feet” is a positive idiom used to describe recovery from illness or adversity, indicating a return to health and normalcy.
Answers to Key Question
- What does “under the weather” mean?
“Under the weather” means feeling slightly ill or unwell, often used when someone is not in perfect health but not seriously sick. - How is “green around the gills” used?
“Green around the gills” describes someone who looks sick or nauseated, typically due to sudden illness or queasiness. - What does “on the mend” refer to?
“On the mend” is a positive phrase indicating that someone is recovering from an illness or injury and getting better. - Can “fit as a fiddle” be used sarcastically?
Yes, “fit as a fiddle” can be used sarcastically to describe someone who is actually feeling sick, adding humor to the conversation. - What is the meaning of “down for the count”?
“Down for the count” means being unable to continue or participate due to illness, often needing rest to recover. - How is “keep your chin up” related to illness?
“Keep your chin up” is an encouraging phrase used to stay positive and optimistic, even when feeling sick or facing challenges.
Conclusion
Idioms about sickness provide a rich and expressive way to communicate feelings of illness in English. Whether you’re feeling “under the weather” or “back on your feet,” these idioms can help you describe your condition more vividly.
By understanding and using these phrases, you can better express your experiences and understand others in conversations about health and well-being.
I’m Jane Austen, a language expert at Minglishs, dedicated to helping learners master English through engaging and accessible content. My passion for literature and teaching drives me to make language learning both enjoyable and effective.
