under the weather
ill or gloomy, especially from a cold or flu.
Meaning adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
“I'm feeling a bit under the weather today.”
“She stayed home from work because she was under the weather.”
“Having felt under the weather all week, he finally saw a doctor, who said the flu was going around the office.”
disputed origin
Believed to be nautical: seasick or ill sailors were sent below deck, away from the weather; some sources cite the fuller phrase 'under the weather bow'.
- 01
how's the weather
Indicating a change of subject to unimportant topics.
- 02
keep a weather eye open
to maintain a background awareness of something; to remain alert to changes without it occupying one's full attention.
- 03
make heavy weather
To make progress only with difficulty.
- 04
make the weather
To be extraordinarily effective, especially when in a position of authority.
- 05
stormy weather
Used to describe a period of troubles and difficulties, especially in terms of relationships.
- 06
talk about the weather
To chit-chat; to shoot the breeze.
- 07
weather the storm
To reach the end of a very difficult situation without too much harm or damage.
Last updated August 10, 2026