How do you use "Under the weather" in a sentence?

I'm feeling a bit under the weather today. She's been under the weather all week. Sorry, I can't make it—I'm under the weather.

Under the weather

Q: What does "Under the weather" mean?

Feeling slightly ill or unwell. This gentle idiom describes a mild malaise—not seriously ill, but not quite right. You might be 'under the weather' with a cold, hangover, or just general tiredness. It's perfect for sick day calls: serious enough to warrant staying home but not alarmingly so. The phrase carries a sense of weathering something temporary—you'll be fine soon, just not today.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★★ Very Common Neutral

Meaning: Feeling slightly ill or unwell.

感觉不舒服；通常暗指宿醉。

Sentirse mal; a menudo significa tener resaca.

体調がすぐれない。しばしば二日酔いを意味する。

몸이 좀 안 좋은, 컨디션이 좋지 않은.

This gentle idiom describes a mild malaise—not seriously ill, but not quite right. You might be 'under the weather' with a cold, hangover, or just general tiredness. It's perfect for sick day calls: serious enough to warrant staying home but not alarmingly so. The phrase carries a sense of weathering something temporary—you'll be fine soon, just not today.

「under the weather」是一种礼貌的委婉说法，表示身体不舒服，常常特指宿醉。这个表达的模糊性很实用：你可以说自己「under the weather」而不用说明具体原因。这个短语最初是航海俚语。

Estar «under the weather» es sentirse mal; es una expresión educada y eufemística que a menudo se refiere específicamente a tener resaca. Su vaguedad es útil: puedes decir que estás «under the weather» sin especificar por qué. Originalmente era jerga náutica.

「under the weather」は体調が悪いことを意味する上品な婉曲表現で、特に二日酔いを指すことが多いです。曖昧な表現なので便利です。理由を言わずに「under the weather」と言えば済みます。もともとは船乗りのスラングでした。

이 부드러운 관용구는 가벼운 불쾌감을 묘사한다—심각하게 아픈 것은 아니지만 뭔가 찜찜한 상태. 감기, 숙취, 또는 그냥 전반적인 피곤함으로 'under the weather'일 수 있다. 병가 전화에 안성맞춤이다: 집에 있을 만큼은 심각하지만 놀라울 정도는 아닌 것. 이 표현은 일시적인 것을 견뎌내는 느낌을 담고 있다—곧 괜찮아질 테지만, 오늘은 아닌 것이다.

Examples

I'm feeling a bit under the weather today.
我今天感觉有点不舒服
Hoy no me encuentro muy bien
今日はちょっと体調がすぐれない
오늘 몸이 좀 안 좋아.
She's been under the weather all week.
他打电话说不舒服——昨晚玩得太嗨了
Llamó diciendo que no se encontraba bien, anoche salió de fiesta
体調不良で電話してきた。昨夜飲みすぎたんだ
그녀가 일주일 내내 몸이 안 좋았어.
Sorry, I can't make it—I'm under the weather.
派对之后她一直不太舒服
No se encuentra bien desde la fiesta
パーティー以来ずっと体調を崩している
미안, 못 갈 것 같아—몸이 좀 안 좋아서.

Pronunciation

/ˌʌndə ðə ˈweðə/

Usage Guide

Context: illness, work, social excuses

Tone: mild, apologetic

✓ Do Say

Feeling under the weather
感觉身体不太舒服
No me encuentro muy bien
体調がすぐれない
몸이 좀 안 좋아.
A bit under the weather
有点不舒服
Un poco pachucho
ちょっと具合が悪い
그녀가 좀 아파.
Been under the weather
一直不太舒服
He estado pachucho
体調を崩していた
그가 몸이 안 좋았어.

✗ Don't Say

For serious illness, this undersells it—use for minor ailments only
对于严重的疾病，这个说法太轻描淡写了——只用于小毛病
Para enfermedades graves, esta expresión se queda corta, úsala solo para dolencias leves
重い病気には軽すぎる表現——軽い不調にだけ使う
의도적으로 모호함——자세한 설명을 피하기에 좋음

Common Mistakes

Implies mild illness—don't use for serious conditions
Can also describe low mood, not just physical illness

Origin & History

The nautical origin theory suggests seasick sailors were sent below deck (under the weather deck) to recover from the effects of rough weather. The phrase entered common usage in the early 19th century. Whether or not the sailing etymology is accurate, the imagery of being beaten down by weather perfectly captures the feeling.

Etymology: Possibly nautical—seasick sailors sent below weather deck

First recorded: Early 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: 19th century onwards

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Commonly used in workplace contexts

Regional notes: Universal English expression with possible nautical origins.

Story & Trivia

Admiral Horatio Nelson, famous for his naval victories, reportedly suffered severe seasickness throughout his career. Even one of Britain's greatest naval heroes was frequently 'under the weather' in the most literal sense.

Variations

Under the weatherA bit under the weatherFeeling under the weather