In the twists and turns of conversation, idioms often capture the essence of experiences, including sickness, with vivid imagery and flair. This post explores 20 English idioms that describe illness, offering a brief meaning and an example for each to enhance your understanding and usage.
Idioms That Describe Sickness
1. Sick as a dog
Meaning: Very ill.
Example: He’s sick as a dog today.
2. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling ill or unwell.
Example: She’s under the weather, so she stayed home.
3. Feeling green
Meaning: Looking or feeling sick.
Example: I was feeling green after the ride.
4. At death’s door
Meaning: Extremely ill.
Example: He looked like he was at death’s door.
5. Out of sorts
Meaning: Feeling mildly ill.
Example: I’m just out of sorts today.
6. Down with the flu
Meaning: Suffering from the flu.
Example: She’s down with the flu this week.
7. On the sick list
Meaning: Officially excused due to illness.
Example: Joe’s on the sick list again.
8. Laid up
Meaning: Confined due to illness.
Example: She’s been laid up with a cold.
9. Sick to one’s stomach
Meaning: Feeling nausea.
Example: That food made me sick to my stomach.
10. Running a fever
Meaning: Having an elevated body temperature.
Example: He’s running a fever tonight.
11. Off one’s feed
Meaning: Having no appetite.
Example: She’s off her feed again.
12. Not up to par
Meaning: Not feeling well.
Example: I’m not up to par today.
13. In a bad way
Meaning: Seriously ill.
Example: He’s in a bad way with pneumonia.
14. Feel like death warmed up
Meaning: Feeling very ill or tired.
Example: I feel like death warmed up.
15. As pale as a ghost
Meaning: Very pale due to illness or shock.
Example: She was as pale as a ghost.
16. Taken ill
Meaning: Suddenly becoming sick.
Example: He was taken ill at work.
17. Battling a cold
Meaning: Struggling with a cold.
Example: She’s been battling a cold all week.
18. Under the doctor’s care
Meaning: Receiving medical treatment.
Example: He’s under the doctor’s care for his illness.
19. Hanging by a thread
Meaning: Being very sick or fragile.
Example: Her health is hanging by a thread.
20. Walking pneumonia
Meaning: A milder form of pneumonia.
Example: He has walking pneumonia but still works.
