go down with
phrasal verb.phrasal verb. to become sick with a specific illness, like the flu or a cold.
phrasal verb. to contract or succumb to a minor illness; typically used with non-life-threatening infectious diseases.
Half the class has gone down with the flu.
I think I am going down with a cold because my throat feels very sore.
Several members of the expedition went down with a mysterious fever, forcing the team to halt their progress and set up a temporary camp.
usually followed by the name of a common illness like 'the flu', 'a cold', or 'food poisoning'.
contrast with 'catch' (the moment of infection) and 'have' (the state of being sick); 'go down with' emphasizes the transition from health to illness.
He went down with a broken leg.He had a broken leg.this phrase is only used for illnesses or infections, not for physical injuries like breaks or cuts.
Last updated April 24, 2026