English Reference
Idiom idiom

green about the gills


Ill or unwell, especially as indicated by one's appearance.

Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.


SIMPLE

You look a bit green about the gills today.

CONTEXTUAL

After the boat hit some rough waves, several passengers started looking green about the gills.

COMPLEX

The sailor appeared visibly green about the gills as the storm intensified, struggling to maintain his composure while the ship pitched violently.


Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    Chinese green

    Synonym of lokao.

  2. 02

    full to the gills

    Completely or overly full.

  3. 03

    go green

    To implement certain lifestyle changes designed to help one live in a more ecologically friendly way.

  4. 04

    God's green earth

    The world.

  5. 05

    green as grass

    Inexperienced or naive.

  6. 06

    green fingers

    A seemingly natural gardening ability.

  7. 07

    green handshake

    A bribe, or a transfer of money that the interested parties represent as a tip but that disinterested third parties are likely to view as a bribe.

  8. 08

    green in earth

    Of a deceased person, recently buried.

Last updated August 10, 2026