How do you use "Green around the gills" in a sentence?

You're looking a bit green around the gills. I felt green around the gills all morning. He went green around the gills halfway through the boat trip.

Green around the gills

Q: What does "Green around the gills" mean?

Looking nauseated or ill; about to be sick. To be 'green around the gills' means looking sickly and nauseated—that pale, slightly green tinge people get when they're about to vomit. Often used for hangovers or seasickness. The 'gills' are the area around the jaws and throat.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★☆☆ Moderate Casual

Meaning: Looking nauseated or ill; about to be sick.

看起来恶心或不舒服；快要吐了。

Con aspecto de estar nauseoso o enfermo; a punto de vomitar.

吐き気がして顔色が悪い。今にも吐きそうな状態。

메스꺼워서 안색이 나쁜. 곧 토할 것 같은 상태.

To be 'green around the gills' means looking sickly and nauseated—that pale, slightly green tinge people get when they're about to vomit. Often used for hangovers or seasickness. The 'gills' are the area around the jaws and throat.

「green around the gills」形容看起来不舒服、恶心——就是人快要呕吐时脸色发白、略带绿色的那种样子。常用于形容宿醉或晕船。「gills」指的是下巴和喉咙周围的部位。

Estar «green around the gills» significa tener aspecto enfermizo y nauseoso, ese tono pálido y ligeramente verdoso que adquiere la gente cuando está a punto de vomitar. Se usa a menudo para las resacas o el mareo. Los «gills» se refieren a la zona alrededor de la mandíbula y la garganta.

「green around the gills」は、具合が悪く吐き気がする様子を表します。嘔吐しそうな時に顔が青白く、少し緑がかった色になることを指します。二日酔いや船酔いの時によく使われます。「gills」は顎や喉のあたりを指します。

'green around the gills'는 구역질이 나서 안색이 창백하고 약간 녹색 빛을 띠는 상태를 말한다—토하기 직전의 모습이다. 숙취나 뱃멀미에 자주 사용된다. 'gills'는 턱과 목 주변 부위를 가리킨다.

Examples

You're looking a bit green around the gills.
你看起来脸色有点发青
Tienes cara de estar a punto de vomitar
ちょっと顔色が悪いよ
얼굴이 좀 안 좋아 보여.
I felt green around the gills all morning.
整个上午我都觉得恶心
Estuve con náuseas toda la mañana
午前中ずっと吐きそうだった
오전 내내 속이 메스꺼웠어.
He went green around the gills halfway through the boat trip.
坐船到一半他就脸色发白了
Se puso verde a mitad del viaje en barco
船旅の途中で彼は顔面蒼白になった
배 여행 중간에 그는 얼굴이 하얗게 질렸다.

Pronunciation

/ɡriːn əˈraʊnd ðə ɡɪlz/

Usage Guide

Context: nausea, hangovers, seasickness

Tone: observational, sympathetic

✓ Do Say

Green around the gills
脸色发青
Con cara de estar mareado
顔色が悪い
얼굴이 파래진
A bit green around the gills
有点脸色发青
Con un poco de cara de estar mareado
ちょっと顔色が悪い
좀 얼굴이 파래진

Common Mistakes

Gills here = jaw/neck area, not fish gills
Describes pre-vomiting nausea look

Origin & History

The gills are the sides of the face/jaw area (like fish gills). The phrase describes the greenish pallor of nausea. First recorded in the late 19th century. It vividly captures that moment before being sick.

Etymology: From the gills (jaw area) and green color of nausea

First recorded: Late 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: Late 19th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Universal idiom

Regional notes: Universal English idiom.

Variations

Green around the gillsA bit green