If you ever hear someone say, “I’m feeling under the weather,” and don’t quite know what they mean, you have found the right article. The under the weather meaning is an expression referring to someone who is ill or not entirely well.
If you’re curious about how to use it and where it comes from, keep reading!
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What Does Under the Weather Mean?
As mentioned earlier, “under the weather” is an idiom for feeling sick or unwell. It doesn’t involve the actual weather.
So, where did it come from? The exact origin is uncertain, but historians speculate that the idiom’s etymology has a nautical root, referring to the sailors being ill and retreating from the boat’s deck away from the bad weather.
Examples:
- Louise was feeling under the weather. Maybe she got a cold.
- The passengers are feeling under the weather because of the storm.
- Sorry, I can’t do it today! I’ve been feeling under the weather the whole day.
- She has a hangover, that’s why she’s feeling under the weather.
- The crewmen are under the weather because of the rough seas.
- Don’t get drunk, or you’ll feel under the weather tomorrow!
- The online tutor canceled our 1-on-1 lessons because she was under the weather.
- Today is not a good day for me, I have a sore throat and feeling under the weather.
- Tomorrow is better for me, I feel under the weather today.
- Sharon told me she’s under the weather, so I’m helping her.
Synonyms of Under the Weather
There are other phrases that you can use instead of “under the weather.”
- Feeling unwell.
- Feeling off.
- Out of sorts.
- Feeling a bit poorly.
- Not a hundred percent (another idiom).
- Feeling indisposed.
- Not be oneself.
When and How to Use “Under the Weather”
This idiom can easily fit into everyday conversations. So, how do you use it?
You should use “under the weather” right after the conjugated form of the verb “to be,” as “I am,” “she is,” or in conjunction with the verb “feel.”
This will create this structure:
Subject + to be + under the weather
Example: I am under the weather.
or
Subject + feel+ under the weather.
Example: I feel under the weather.
In terms of when you should use this idiom, it is generally accepted in informal conversations like chats and text messages. However, it’s not usually used in academic or formal texts, such as medical texts.
So, when someone tells you they feel “under the weather,” you can reply, “I hope you get better soon,” or “Get well.”
Tip: Remember that under the weather refers to temporary illnesses like colds but not chronic or severe medical conditions.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, the idiom “under the weather” is a commonly used English phrase that expresses general feelings of illness, typically due to minor ailments like a cold.
