Idioms are colorful expressions that don’t always mean exactly what the words suggest, yet they bring life and flavor to everyday conversations. Instead of saying
“I am sick,” English speakers often use creative idioms that sound more natural, engaging, or even humorous. Phrases like “feeling under the weather” or “catch a bug” make conversations more expressive and relatable.
Knowing idioms for “sick” is especially useful because illness, health, and well-being are common topics in daily life.
Whether you are talking about feeling unwell, recovering from a flu, or exaggerating how bad a cold feels, these idioms help you sound fluent and connected with native speakers.
In this article, you’ll discover popular idioms for “sick,” organized into themes, with meanings, examples, and practical notes on usage.
Did You Know?
The famous idiom “under the weather” originally came from sailors. When sailors were seasick, they would go below deck, literally “under the weather,” to recover. Over time, the phrase became a general way to say someone is feeling unwell.
Idioms for Feeling Unwell
Feeling Under the Weather
Meaning: Feeling slightly ill or not in good health.
Example: I skipped the party because I was feeling under the weather.
Similar Idiom: Off-color
Note: Common in everyday conversation, informal.
Off-Color
Meaning: Not looking or feeling healthy.
Example: You look a bit off-color today; maybe you should rest.
Similar Idiom: Below par
Note: Often used casually when someone looks pale or tired.
Out of Sorts
Meaning: Feeling unwell or not in a good mood.
Example: He’s a little out of sorts, so don’t expect much from him today.
Similar Idiom: Feeling poorly
Note: Informal, used for mild sickness or bad mood.
Feeling Blue
Meaning: Feeling sick or depressed.
Example: After catching the flu, she was feeling blue for days.
Similar Idiom: Down in the dumps
Note: Often used more for sadness, but can be related to being sick.
Not Up to Scratch
Meaning: Not feeling as good as usual, physically or mentally.
Example: I wasn’t up to scratch during the meeting because of my cold.
Similar Idiom: Below par
Note: Can be used in professional and casual settings.
Laid Up
Meaning: Forced to stay in bed due to sickness.
Example: He was laid up with the flu all week.
Similar Idiom: Down with
Note: Common for describing being bedridden.
Under the Knife
Meaning: Going through surgery.
Example: She’s going under the knife tomorrow for her appendix.
Similar Idiom: On the operating table
Note: More dramatic, used informally.
A Shadow of One’s Former Self
Meaning: Looking weak or unhealthy compared to before.
Example: Since the illness, he’s become a shadow of his former self.
Similar Idiom: Pale as a ghost
Note: More descriptive, often sympathetic.
Idioms for Catching Illness
Catch a Bug
Meaning: Get a minor illness like a cold or flu.
Example: I think I caught a bug at the office.
Similar Idiom: Pick something up
Note: Everyday informal use.
Go Down With
Meaning: Become ill with something.
Example: Half the class went down with food poisoning.
Similar Idiom: Come down with
Note: Common in British English.
Come Down With
Meaning: Start to show signs of an illness.
Example: I’ve come down with a terrible sore throat.
Similar Idiom: Be struck by
Note: Widely used in daily life.
Sick as a Dog
Meaning: Extremely sick, usually with vomiting.
Example: He was sick as a dog after eating bad seafood.
Similar Idiom: Green around the gills
Note: Informal, often humorous.
Green Around the Gills
Meaning: Looking pale and ill, often from nausea.
Example: She looked green around the gills during the bus ride.
Similar Idiom: White as a sheet
Note: Visual description, common in storytelling.
Run Down
Meaning: Feeling weak and tired from illness or overwork.
Example: I’ve been working so much that I feel completely run down.
Similar Idiom: Worn out
Note: Used both for sickness and exhaustion.
Under the Weather Bug
Meaning: Feeling sick due to catching a virus.
Example: I caught the weather bug and had to stay home.
Similar Idiom: Picked up something
Note: Very informal, casual.
On the Mend
Meaning: Recovering after an illness.
Example: She was sick last week but now she’s on the mend.
Similar Idiom: Getting back on track
Note: Encouraging phrase.
Idioms for Serious or Long Illness
At Death’s Door
Meaning: Extremely sick, near death.
Example: He looked like he was at death’s door after the fever.
Similar Idiom: On one’s last legs
Note: Dramatic, informal.
One Foot in the Grave
Meaning: Close to dying, very ill or old.
Example: After his surgery, he joked about having one foot in the grave.
Similar Idiom: Near the end
Note: Humorous but dark.
On One’s Last Legs
Meaning: Very weak, sick, or close to collapse.
Example: The old dog was on its last legs before the vet arrived.
Similar Idiom: About to give up the ghost
Note: Used for people, animals, or even objects.
Breathe One’s Last
Meaning: To die.
Example: The soldier breathed his last after a long illness.
Similar Idiom: Kick the bucket
Note: More poetic or dramatic.
Kick the Bucket
Meaning: To die (informal, humorous).
Example: He joked that he wanted to travel before he kicked the bucket.
Similar Idiom: Pass away
Note: Informal and lighthearted.
Take a Turn for the Worse
Meaning: Health suddenly becomes worse.
Example: After the operation, his condition took a turn for the worse.
Similar Idiom: Go downhill
Note: Used in medical and general contexts.
In Critical Condition
Meaning: Very serious illness or injury.
Example: The patient is in critical condition after the accident.
Similar Idiom: Fighting for one’s life
Note: More formal, medical contexts.
On Life Support
Meaning: Dependent on medical machines to live.
Example: The patient was on life support after the stroke.
Similar Idiom: Hanging by a thread
Note: Very serious, usually medical.
Idioms for Recovery and Good Health
Fit as a Fiddle
Meaning: Very healthy and strong.
Example: Even at 70, she’s as fit as a fiddle.
Similar Idiom: In top shape
Note: Cheerful and positive.
Alive and Kicking
Meaning: Full of life and energy, despite illness or age.
Example: Grandpa is 90 and still alive and kicking.
Similar Idiom: Going strong
Note: Often used humorously.
Right as Rain
Meaning: Completely healthy again.
Example: Don’t worry, you’ll be right as rain in a few days.
Similar Idiom: Back on one’s feet
Note: Friendly and supportive.
Back on One’s Feet
Meaning: Recovering from illness or difficulty.
Example: After surgery, he was back on his feet in two weeks.
Similar Idiom: On the mend
Note: Common in both health and financial contexts.
In the Pink of Health
Meaning: In perfect health.
Example: She looks in the pink of health after her holiday.
Similar Idiom: In great shape
Note: Slightly old-fashioned but still used.
Fresh as a Daisy
Meaning: Looking healthy, full of energy.
Example: After a good night’s sleep, he felt fresh as a daisy.
Similar Idiom: Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed
Note: Often used in daily casual talk.
Spring Back
Meaning: Recover quickly from illness.
Example: Children usually spring back faster than adults.
Similar Idiom: Bounce back
Note: Positive, informal.
Bounce Back
Meaning: Regain health or strength after being ill.
Example: She bounced back quickly after the flu.
Similar Idiom: Recover
Note: Common in both health and business contexts.
How to Use These Idioms in Daily Life
- Speaking: Use casual idioms like under the weather, caught a bug, or feeling off-color in conversations with friends and family.
- Writing: Idioms such as right as rain or on the mend work well in personal letters, blogs, or storytelling.
- Professional use: In workplaces, lighter idioms like below par or back on one’s feet are safe, but avoid humorous ones like kick the bucket in formal communication.
Common Mistakes Learners Make with Idioms
- Wrong usage: I under the weather today.
Correct: I am under the weather today. - Mixing idioms: He is right as fiddle.
Correct: He is fit as a fiddle. - Too formal setting: Using kick the bucket in a medical report. Better to say passed away.
FAQs
1. What does “under the weather” mean?
It means feeling unwell, usually with a mild illness like a cold or fatigue.
2. Can idioms about sickness be used in professional writing?
Some can, like on the mend or below par, but avoid very informal or humorous ones in formal reports.
3. Are idioms about sickness used in all English-speaking countries?
Yes, but some are more common in British English (like go down with) and some in American English (like sick as a dog).
4. Do idioms always mean sickness literally?
Not always. For example, out of sorts can mean sick or just in a bad mood.
5. How can I remember these idioms?
Practice by using one or two daily in conversation or writing until they feel natural.
Conclusion
Idioms about sickness are a fascinating part of English that make conversations more natural, expressive, and often humorous. Instead of simply saying
“I am sick,” idioms like under the weather, sick as a dog, or fit as a fiddle allow you to describe health in colorful ways.
Learning these idioms helps you sound more fluent, connect better in casual talk, and even enrich your storytelling. Keep practicing them in daily conversations, and you’ll soon feel right as rain in your English learning journey.
