- To feel (and possibly look) extremely ill, unwell, exhausted, or depleted.
- Implies feeling absolutely terrible, lacking energy, and perhaps looking pale and sickly.
Explanation
Origin
- The expression evokes the gruesome image of a corpse (death) that has been slightly heated (warmed up/over), suggesting something lifeless, cold, and unpleasant attempting to appear alive or warm.
- It vividly conveys a state of utter exhaustion or severe illness.
- Appeared in the early 20th century. Warmed up is more common in British English, while warmed over is more common in American English.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Feel like crap/shit
- Running on empty / Running on fumes
- Totally drained / Wiped
- Ready for the knackers' yard (UK/Aus humour feeling old/worn out)
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Feel like fucking death
- Feel like absolute dogshit
Milder:
- Feeling really under the weather
- Very tired / Worn out
- Not feeling myself today / Feeling rough
Situational Appropriateness
- Informal.
- Suitable for conversations with friends, family, or close colleagues. The imagery is quite graphic and generally unsuitable for formal settings.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- The literal image is bizarre. Non-native speakers need to understand it's a strong idiom for feeling extremely unwell or exhausted, not to be taken literally.
Examples
- After the all-nighter, I felt like death warmed up. (Exhaustion)
- She has a terrible flu and looks like death warmed over. (Illness and appearance)
- I think I'm getting sick; I feel like death warmed up. (Onset of illness)
Dialogue
Manager: Morning, Alex. You look a bit tired.
Alex: Morning. Yeah, I hardly slept last night. Feel like death warmed over, to be honest.
Manager: Oh dear. Well, try to take it easy today. Grab plenty of coffee.
Alex: Will do, thanks. Definitely need it.
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Pulled an all-nighter to finish the project. Now feel like death warmed up. Send coffee... intravenously. ☕️💀 #worklife #exhausted
- Instagram Story: (Picture looking pale/tired) Caption: Flu got me feeling like death warmed over. Hibernating today. 🤒
- Comment: Dude, hope you feel better soon! Sounded like you felt like death warmed up on the call yesterday.
Response Patterns
- Sympathy: Oh no, that sounds awful. / Poor you.
- Concern/Observation: You do look a bit pale. / Are you okay?
- Advice: Maybe you should go home and rest. / Get some sleep.
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After someone says they feel like death warmed up/over:
- Express concern: What's wrong? / Are you getting sick?
- Suggest rest or remedy: You should take it easy. / Have you taken anything?
- Offer help: Can I get you anything?
Conversation Starter
- No. Describes one's current negative state.
Intonation
- Emphasis typically falls on DEATH and WARMED UP/OVER: I FEEL like DEATH warmed UP.
- The tone is usually weary, complaining, or expressing strong malaise.
Generation Differences
- Understood by most generations, perhaps used slightly more often by Gen X and older Millennials, but still common.
Regional Variations
- Warmed up is the predominant form in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
- Warmed over is the predominant form in the US and Canada.
- Both forms are generally understood in most regions.