On the mend

[0675] Fighting fit

🎲 Drop like flies
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • Extremely healthy, energetic, and in excellent physical condition. Ready for action or challenge.

Origin

  • Likely originates from military or boxing contexts, where being fit for fighting or fit to fight was crucial.
  • Implies not just health, but also strength, readiness, and peak condition.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • In great shape / In excellent condition
  • Fit as a fiddle (Slightly more quaint/old-fashioned)
  • Hale and hearty (Often used for older people who are very healthy)
  • In peak condition
  • Raring to go (Full of energy and enthusiasm)

Alternatives

Slang/Informal:

  • In top form.
  • Feeling like a million bucks. (Feeling very good/healthy)
  • Totally ripped / shredded (Slang for very muscular, focus on physique)

Milder/More Standard:

  • Very healthy.
  • Feeling great.
  • In good health.

Situational Appropriateness

  • Generally informal to semi-formal.
  • Common in everyday conversation, sports contexts, and discussions about health and recovery.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • The connection to fighting might seem aggressive if taken literally. Learners need to understand it means extremely healthy and ready, like a well-prepared fighter.

Examples

  • After a month of training, he was fighting fit for the marathon.
  • She recovered from her cold quickly and is now fighting fit again.
  • Make sure the whole team is fighting fit before the big game.

Dialogue

Doctor: Well Mr. Jones, your check-up results are excellent. How have you been feeling?

Mr. Jones: Absolutely fighting fit, doc! Been walking five miles every day.

Doctor: That's fantastic! Keep up the great work. You're in better shape than men half your age.

Mr. Jones: Haha, I try!

Social Media Examples

  • Post-Workout Selfie: Feeling fighting fit after that session! 💪 #Fitness #HealthyLifestyle #GymLife
  • Update: Finally recovered and feeling fighting fit! Ready to get back to work/training. #Comeback #Health
  • Comment: Wow, you look fighting fit in that photo!

Response Patterns

  • That's great!
  • Wow, good for you/them!
  • Ready to take on the world, eh?

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

After hearing someone is fighting fit:

  • Ask: What's your secret? / Been working out?
  • Action: Express admiration, maybe discuss health/fitness activities.

Conversation Starter

  • No. Usually a description of someone's condition, often in response to How are you? or in a context discussing health/fitness.

Intonation

  • Said with an energetic, positive, and often proud tone. Equal stress on fighting and fit. FIGHTING FIT.

Generation Differences

  • Widely understood and used across generations.

Regional Variations

  • Common in all major English-speaking regions, perhaps especially in the UK and Australia/NZ.
On the mend
🎲 Drop like flies