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

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

I kept an open mind, thinking maybe he really was just under the weather that night but it had opened the floodgates of concerns that had been out there for a while.

From Salon • Jul. 22, 2024

The pope has been under the weather for several days.

From New York Times • Feb. 28, 2024

He was feeling under the weather, which is why he missed shoot-around Saturday morning, joining guard Kymany Houinsou in that department.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 24, 2024

To be honest, the boss was a little pooped; a bit under the weather; unhappy, and baffled too; call it at loose ends.

From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols