Feel Under the Weather: Meaning and Usage Guide

Meaning 1：feel slightly unwell (feel under the weather)

feel under the weather 🔊

/ˈfiːl ˈʌndər ðə ˈwɛðər/

phr.

To feel slightly unwell or sick, not seriously ill, often without a specific reason.

Person resting on sofa feeling under the weather

feel slightly unwell 🔊

➕

/fiːl ˈslaɪtli ʌnˈwɛl/

phr.

To feel slightly unwell or sick, not seriously ill, often without a specific reason.

📁 Category：Physical & Mental Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Idiom from nautical term: a sailor feeling ill due to bad weather.

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine standing under a stormy sky, feeling sick. 'Under the weather' = feeling unwell.

📖 Example

My friend called and asked if I wanted to go hiking, but I‘m feeling a bit under the weather, so I decided to rest at home. 🔊 My friend called and asked if I wanted to go hiking, but I'm feeling a bit under the weather, so I decided to rest at home.

🔗 Collocations

feel under the weather – to feel slightly ill

a bit under the weather – slightly unwell

under the weather today – feeling unwell on this day

🔄 Synonyms

indisposed (adj.) – slightly ill, not feeling well

unwell (adj.) – not in good health; ill

off-color (adj.) – feeling slightly ill or unwell

🚫 Antonyms

healthy (adj.) – in good physical condition

well (adj.) – in good health

fit (adj.) – physically healthy and strong

📖 Cultural Story

Originated in 19th-century maritime language. Sailors who felt seasick would go below deck ('under the weather') to recover. Later extended to general mild illness.