Idiom
off colour
Meanings
Slightly ill; not feeling well.
Not at one’s best; behaving or performing unusually (often because of stress or tiredness).
Definition
Slightly ill or not feeling well.
If you feel off colour, you feel slightly unwell, often with no clear or serious illness. People use it for mild symptoms like tiredness, nausea, or a general lack of energy. It is a common, informal expression in British English.
Examples
- I’m feeling a bit off colour today, so I’m going to stay home.
- He looked off colour after the long flight.
- She’s been off colour all week but insists it’s nothing serious.
- If you’re off colour, try to rest and drink plenty of water.
Common mistake
Learners often write it as one word ("offcolor") or use it mainly for literal colour, but in British English it usually means feeling slightly unwell.
More at B2 level
- Bob's your uncle Used to say that something will be easy or will happen exactly as expected after a simple step.
- touch base To touch base means to briefly contact someone to share updates, confirm plans, or check progress.
- ballpark figure A ballpark figure is an approximate number or estimate, not an exact one.
- take the mickey To take the mickey means to mock someone or tease them in an unkind or cheeky way.
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
More idiom (adjective phrase)s
- cheap as chips Very cheap; costing very little money.
- chuffed to bits Very pleased and proud about something.
- easy as pie Used to say that something is very easy to do or understand.
- right as rain Completely well again, or in perfect condition.
- thick as two short planks Extremely stupid or slow to understand.