Under the Weather | Meaning & Examples

Under the weather is an idiom that means “feeling sick or unwell.” It’s often used to explain that someone is ill without having to go into details.

For instance, when someone can’t make it to work because of health issues, they may be more comfortable saying they’re “under the weather” instead of saying that they have a severe cough.

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How to use under the weather

“Under the weather” is also a euphemism (i.e., an expression used to discuss something that is considered taboo or unpleasant) for “feeling sick.”

This expression is commonly used in casual and business settings, meaning that it’s just as acceptable to use in a text message to a friend as it is in an email to your boss. However, “under the weather” is not commonly used in academic writing or other similar formal contexts, including medicine.

“Under the weather” is often immediately preceded by a conjugated form of the verb “be” (e.g., “I am,” “she is”) or a linking verb like “feel.” Regardless of how it’s used in a sentence, “under the weather” always refers to the subject feeling sick or unwell.

Under the weather origin

“Under the weather” is an idiom, which is an expression whose meaning is not clear from the definitions of the individual words. Therefore, the only way to understand what “under the weather” means is through familiarization, and knowing its (possible) origins can help with this.

One of the many theories claims that “under the weather” has maritime roots, in that when a sailor would fall sick, he would be sent below deck to take refuge from having to be on the top deck, where he was literally “under the weather.” However, there is a lack of recorded texts that use “under the weather” in this way.

There are a few other theories with nautical connections. For example, one speculates that the phrase emerged from sailors having to make unplanned stops to repair ships that were damaged “under the stress of weather.” Another explanation is that the “weather side” of a ship is the one that faces the wind and experiences rougher conditions.

Frequently asked questions about under the weather

Is it under the weather or whether?

The correct expression is “under the weather,” which is a euphemism for “feeling sick.” Remember, “weather” refers to the condition of the atmosphere in a certain location, whereas “whether” is a conjunction that expresses doubt or indicates a choice between two options.

What does weather the storm mean?

“Weather the storm” is an idiom that means “to endure and overcome something difficult, often with minimal impact.” For example, a company that was able to withstand financial difficulties can be described as one that “weathered the storm.”

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What are synonyms for under the weather?

Synonyms for “under the weather” include:

• Feeling out of sorts
• Feeling poorly
• Feeling sick
• In poor health
• Not feeling well

You can use QuillBot to paraphrase online to accurately express what you mean.