under the weather

Cultural  

1. Indisposed, unwell: “The day after the big party, Jay had to call in sick, saying he was feeling under the weather.”

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under the weather Idioms  

1. Ailing, ill; also, suffering from a hangover. For example, She said she was under the weather and couldn't make it to the meeting. This expression presumably alludes to the influence of the weather on one's health. [Early 1800s] The same term is sometimes used as a euphemism for being drunk, as in After four drinks, Ellen was a bit under the weather.

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

under the weather

Jones, 25, had knocked out Venus Williams in the first round despite feeling under the weather but struggled against Pegula.

From BBC ● Mar. 22, 2026

Shortstop Mookie Betts first started feeling under the weather during the Dodgers’ final week of spring camp, sitting out their final two Cactus League games.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 17, 2025

It came after he said he felt "absolutely shocking" and was "under the weather" before his quarter-final win over Rob Cross.

From BBC ● Feb. 20, 2025

“He’s been under the weather a little bit. So I don’t know if that bled into the stuff, the velocity. I’m not sure.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 18, 2024

Ethel filled in for the regular teacher when she was under the weather.

From "The Underground Railroad: A Novel" by Colson Whitehead