come down with
phrasal verb.phrasal verb. to start to get sick with a minor illness like a cold or the flu.
phrasal verb. to begin to suffer from a non-serious medical condition or infectious disease; functions as an intransitive-style phrasal verb requiring a specific object.
I think I am coming down with a cold.
Half the office came down with the flu after the holiday party last week.
Just as the final exams were approaching, she unfortunately came down with a severe case of strep throat that required immediate bed rest.
usually followed by the name of a common, non-life-threatening illness.
contrast with 'contract' (formal) or 'catch' (more active); 'come down with' suggests the feeling of the illness starting to affect the body.
He came down with a broken leg.He broke his leg.this phrase is only used for illnesses like viruses or infections, not for physical injuries.
Last updated April 24, 2026