What Does “Under the Weather” Mean?
Under the weather is an English idiom that describes someone as “feeling ill or unwell.”
- Sorry, I can’t come to work today because I’m feeling under the weather.
What Does “Under the Weather” Mean?
Under the weather is an English idiom that means “feeling sick or unwell.” Remember, an idiom is a phrase or expression with a figurative meaning that differs from the literal definition of the words used.
The idiom under the weather is often used to indicate that someone is ill, without going into too much detail.
Under the weather is generally accepted in all contexts. For example, you can use the idiom whether you’re talking to a friend or notifying your boss about your absence from work.
However, you should be aware that this phrase is only to be used to refer to minor and temporary illnesses, such as a common cold or headache. If someone has a severe medical condition, it would not be appropriate to use this phrase to describe this.
“Under the Weather” Origin
No one knows for certain where this expression originated from, but there’s a popular theory that’s tied to nautical roots. Supposedly, way back then, when a sailor was feeling bad, he would retreat below the deck—away from the weather above—which could be described as being under the weather. Another theory claims that the idiom came to be via the old idea that the weather has a strong influence on one’s health.
“Under the Weather” Examples
Here are a few example sentences that contain the idiom under the weather.
“Under the Weather” Synonyms
If you want to expand your vocabulary, here are a few similar words and phrases you can use in place of under the weather.
1. Unwell
2. Feeling off
3. Out of sorts
4. Feeling a bit poorly
Don’t Let Bad Writing Cause You To Feel Under the Weather
Now that you know what under the weather means, you’ll be able to understand and use this English idiom confidently in your conversations. Remember, idioms are a fun and quirky part of language, so don’t be afraid to embrace them!
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