feeling under the weather

/ˈfiːlɪŋ ˈʌndər ðə ˈwɛðər/

phrase★Intermediate— slightly ill◆idiom

◆ What It Really Means

To feel slightly ill or unwell, without specifying the exact condition.

¶ Literal Meaning

To feel physically located beneath the sky or atmosphere.

Literal Breakdown

feelingthe act of experiencing a physical or emotional state+underin a lower position than+the weatherthe state of the atmosphere at a particular place and time

◇ Mental Image

The phrase evokes the idea of being metaphorically 'covered' or 'affected' by the elements of weather, suggesting discomfort or unease, similar to how bad weather might make one feel physically unwell.

◈ When to Use

Imagine you wake up with a slight headache and a bit of a sore throat. You might tell your coworker, 'I’m feeling under the weather today, so I’ll work from home.'

◉ Cultural Note

This idiom reflects the historical connection between weather and health, where people often associated physical discomfort with atmospheric conditions. It remains a common and polite way to avoid specifying an illness in casual conversation.

informal

slightly ill or unwell

She called in sick today because she was feeling under the weather.

She called in sick today because she was slightly ill.

I might skip the hike if I'm still feeling under the weather tomorrow.

I might skip the hike if I'm still slightly unwell tomorrow.

💡

Commonly used in everyday conversation to describe mild illness without specifying the exact condition.

Collocations

feeling a bit under the weatherslightly unwellfeeling really under the weathervery unwell

Synonyms

slightly ill a bit unwell not feeling well under the weather

Antonyms

feeling great in good health healthy well

Related Phrases

under the weatheridiom

slightly ill

out of sortsidiom

slightly unwell or in low spirits

under the influenceidiom

drunk or affected by drugs

💡Pro Tip

When to use

Use this phrase for mild illnesses like a slight cold, headache, or fatigue. Avoid using it for serious conditions.

⚡Gold Rule

Idiom meaning

Never interpret this phrase literally. 'Under the weather' does not refer to actual weather but to feeling unwell.

📖Word Origin

The phrase dates back to the 18th century, with 'under the weather' originally referring to sailors being seasick or affected by bad weather conditions. The metaphorical use to describe general unwellness became common in the 19th century.

📝Usage Notes

This idiom is informal and widely used in spoken English. It avoids specifying the exact illness, making it a general and polite way to describe feeling unwell.

English Dictionary