"Under the weather" is an idiom that means feeling slightly ill or unwell. It suggests a mild illness, not something serious enough to require hospitalization, but more than just a passing discomfort. It's a euphemistic way of saying you're not feeling your best.
The origin of the phrase is believed to be nautical. Sailors who felt seasick or ill would go below deck to seek shelter from the elements, literally going "under the weather" on the ship.
The register is neutral to informal. It's suitable for everyday conversation but might be too casual for highly formal settings.
"Under the weather" is typically used as an adjective phrase following a linking verb like "be," "feel," or "seem." It can be modified with adverbs like "slightly," "a bit," or "rather." It can be negated (e.g., "not under the weather") and used in questions (e.g., "Are you feeling under the weather?").
Using it too literally (e.g., "I got caught under the weather during the storm") sounds unnatural. Avoid using it to describe serious illnesses or injuries. It's also incorrect to say someone is "under a weather" or "under the weathers."
These examples are sourced from under the weather on Ludwig.guru.
"She's probably under the weather." — The New Yorker
"So, you're feeling under the weather." — Independent
""Nothing serious, just under the weather"." — The New York Times - Arts
"Not feeling particularly well, under the weather." — The Guardian - Sport
"Her scheduled partner -- Mr. Bocelli -- was under the weather." — The New York Times - Arts
Examples sourced from https://ludwig.guru/s/under+the+weather
| Phrase | Context |
|---|---|
| feeling unwell | A straightforward and general alternative. |
| not feeling well | Another common and neutral alternative. |
| a bit off | More informal and suggests a vague feeling of being unwell. |
| out of sorts | Suggests a feeling of being slightly irritable or not quite oneself. |
| poorly | A more direct term, common in British English. |
| ailing | A more formal term suggesting a more prolonged or chronic illness. |
| sick | A very general term that can range from mild to severe illness. |
Common mistakes include:
| Expression | Idiomatic Meaning | Register | Avoid In |
|---|---|---|---|
| under the weather | Slightly ill; not feeling well | Neutral to Informal | Formal medical reports; describing severe illnesses |
No, "under the weather" is almost always used idiomatically to mean feeling slightly ill. While the phrase's origin may relate to seeking shelter from bad weather, in modern usage it's purely a figurative expression.
"Under the weather" describes a physical ailment, like a cold or headache, while "feeling blue" describes a state of sadness or depression. The former relates to health, the latter to mood.
Learners often mistakenly interpret "under the weather" as literally being outside in bad weather. Remember that it means feeling sick, and is not related to the actual meteorological conditions outside. Avoid this literal misinterpretation to use the idiom correctly.
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