- Feeling slightly unwell, sick, or indisposed.
Explanation
Origin
- Believed to be a nautical term from the age of sail.
- Passengers or sailors feeling seasick would go below deck to escape the rough weather conditions on deck.
- Being literally under the weather (below the deck where weather wasn't felt) became associated with feeling ill.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Feeling rough
- Feeling cruddy / crappy
- Sick as a dog (usually implies more severe illness)
- Off my game / Not myself
Milder/Formal:
- Not feeling well
- Indisposed
- Unwell
Situational Appropriateness
- Appropriate in most informal and semi-formal situations (e.g., explaining absence from work/school, social settings).
- It's a common and polite way to say you're slightly ill without going into detail.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Generally well-understood. A very literal interpretation might confuse someone initially, but the context of health makes the meaning clear.
Examples
- I won't be coming to work today; I'm feeling a bit under the weather.
- She seemed under the weather, so she went home early.
- Are you okay? You look a little under the weather.
Dialogue
Alex: Hey, Ben. You weren't in class today.
Ben: Yeah, I woke up feeling a bit under the weather.
Alex: Oh, sorry to hear that. Anything serious?
Ben: Nah, just a headache and a bit tired. Hope I'll be better tomorrow.
Alex: Okay, get some rest!
Social Media Examples
- Post: Feeling a bit under the weather today, so cancelling my plans. Movie marathon time! 🤒 #sickday #rest
- Tweet: Ugh, woke up feeling under the weather. Hope it passes quickly! 🤞
- Reply: Sorry to hear you're under the weather! Get well soon!
Response Patterns
- Expressions of sympathy: Oh no, I hope you feel better soon.
- Concern: Sorry to hear that. Is it serious?
- Offers of help: Take care of yourself. Let me know if you need anything.
- Agreement/Shared Experience: Yeah, there's something going around.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
- Asking about symptoms: What's wrong? / Just a cold? / Do you think it's the flu?
- Offering specific help: Can I bring you some soup? / Need me to cover your shift?
- Wishing recovery: Get well soon! / Hope you're back on your feet quickly.
Conversation Starter
- No. Typically used as a response to How are you? or to explain an absence or lack of energy.
Intonation
- Usually stated matter-of-factly, perhaps with a slightly subdued tone.
- Stress often falls on under and weather. Feeling a bit under the weather.
Generation Differences
- Commonly used and understood across all generations.
Regional Variations
- Widely used and understood in all major English-speaking regions.