come down with a cold
/kʌm daʊn wɪð ə koʊld/to begin suffering from a cold (a common viral infection of the nose and throat)
He came down with a cold right before the exam.
He started feeling sick with cold symptoms just before his exam.
Many people come down with a cold during winter.
Many people start experiencing cold symptoms during winter.
This phrase is commonly used in everyday conversation to describe the onset of cold symptoms.
Collocations
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Usage Tip
This phrase is often used when someone starts showing early signs of a cold, such as sneezing or a runny nose.
📖Word Origin
The phrase combines the verb 'come down' (to be affected by something) with 'a cold' (a common illness). The exact origin is unclear, but it has been in use since at least the early 20th century.
📝Usage Notes
This phrase is typically used when someone first notices cold symptoms. It is more common in informal contexts than in formal or medical settings.