Discover idioms that creatively illustrate health conditions. These expressions enrich conversations, providing a colorful way to discuss well-being and ailments.
Idioms That Describe Health
1. Fit as a fiddle
Meaning: In excellent health.
Example: He’s 90 but still fit as a fiddle.
2. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling slightly ill.
Example: I’m just under the weather today.
3. Feeling blue
Meaning: Feeling sad or depressed.
Example: She’s been feeling blue lately.
4. On the mend
Meaning: Recovering from an illness.
Example: He’s on the mend after surgery.
5. Sick as a dog
Meaning: Very ill.
Example: He’s sick as a dog in bed.
6. As pale as a ghost
Meaning: Looking very sick.
Example: She was as pale as a ghost.
7. Back on one’s feet
Meaning: Recovered from illness.
Example: She’s finally back on her feet.
8. In the pink
Meaning: In good health.
Example: Grandpa is still in the pink.
9. At death’s door
Meaning: Extremely ill.
Example: He was at death’s door yesterday.
10. A clean bill of health
Meaning: Declared healthy by a doctor.
Example: She got a clean bill of health.
11. Down with something
Meaning: Suffering from an illness.
Example: He’s down with the flu.
12. Alive and kicking
Meaning: Still lively and active.
Example: He’s old but alive and kicking.
13. Out of sorts
Meaning: Feeling mildly ill or upset.
Example: I’m just out of sorts today.
14. A shot in the arm
Meaning: Something that boosts one’s health.
Example: This vitamin is a shot in the arm.
15. A bitter pill to swallow
Meaning: A difficult fact to accept.
Example: His diagnosis was a bitter pill.
16. Up and about
Meaning: Active again after an illness.
Example: She’s up and about after the flu.
17. Burning the candle at both ends
Meaning: Overworking oneself.
Example: He’s burning the candle at both ends.
18. No spring chicken
Meaning: No longer young.
Example: He’s no spring chicken but healthy.
19. Kicking the bucket
Meaning: Dying.
Example: He isn’t kicking the bucket yet!
20. Full of beans
Meaning: Full of energy and vitality.
Example: The kids are full of beans today.