Delhi belly

idiom

Meaning

Digestive illness or diarrhea, especially if suffered by a visitor to India.

Origin

disputed origin

From the diarrhea often experienced by foreign travellers to India; the city of Delhi was doubtless chosen for the rhyme with belly.

Examples

SIMPLE

I caught a bad case of Delhi belly after eating at that market.

CONTEXTUAL

Many travelers worry about getting Delhi belly, so they stick to bottled water and cooked food.

COMPLEX

Despite his careful efforts to avoid street food, he spent the final days of his trip confined to his hotel room with a severe case of Delhi belly.

Anchors to

belly
Delhi

Related idioms3entries

01
belly up
Dead or defunct.
02
belly up to the bar
To commit oneself to a challenge or task; to accept a responsibility; to acknowledge a fact.
03
fire in the belly
The emotional stamina and vigor, passion, or inner drive to achieve something, to take action, etc.