Under the Weather
Meaning: Feeling a little sick or unwell.
If someone says they’re “under the weather,” they mean they’re feeling sick. This phrase comes from old sailing days, when sailors who felt ill were sent below deck—literally under the weather deck—to recover. It became a common expression for not feeling well. So if you ever wake up with a sore throat or a headache, you might say, “I think I’ll stay home today—I’m feeling a bit under the weather.”
How to use it
Use it for mild illness, like a cold, a headache or feeling tired and run-down. It’s polite and very common at work, for example when you call in sick and don’t want to give details. It usually goes with “feel” or “be”: “I’m feeling a bit under the weather.”
Examples
- I’m feeling a bit under the weather, so I’ll work from home today.
- She’s been under the weather all week.
- Sorry I missed your call. I was under the weather yesterday.
A common mistake
Say under the weather, not “under weather” or “below the weather.” It’s for mild sickness, so don’t use it for something serious like a hospital stay. It also has nothing to do with bad weather outside.
Where it comes from
The most common story comes from sailing: sailors who felt seasick went below deck, away from the bad weather. This is often told but hard to prove. The phrase has been used for feeling ill since at least the 1800s.
Say it out loud
Tabbi Daily gives you one short lesson like this every day. Listen, record yourself and hear how you sound. Free, no account needed.
Source: Grammar Monster