Idiom
under the weather
Meanings
Feeling slightly ill; not feeling well.
Feeling low in energy or not at your best, sometimes without being clearly sick.
Definition
If you are under the weather, you feel slightly ill or not at your best.
Under the weather means feeling unwell, often with a mild illness like a cold or a headache. People use it when they are not seriously sick but do not feel normal. It is common in everyday conversation, especially when explaining why you cannot do something.
Examples
- I’m feeling under the weather today, so I’m going to stay home.
- She was a bit under the weather after the long flight.
- He sounded under the weather on the phone and went to bed early.
- If you’re under the weather, you should drink water and rest.
Common mistake
Learners sometimes say “below the weather” or “under weather,” but the correct form is “under the weather.”
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 (adjectival phrase)s
- off one's trolley To be off one's trolley means to behave in a crazy, irrational, or wildly unreasonable way.
- on the pull Trying to meet and attract someone for a casual romantic or sexual relationship, especially on a ni…
- in good nick If something is in good nick, it is in good condition and works well.
- in hot water To be in hot water means to be in trouble or facing criticism because of something you did.
- under the cosh If someone is under the cosh, they are under strong pressure or being controlled harshly.