under the influence

1. Impaired functioning owing to alcohol consumption, as in He was accused of driving under the influence. This expression, from legal jargon, is short for under the influence of intoxicating liquor and implies that one is not completely drunk. Since it is nearly always applied to drivers suspected or so accused, it has given rise to the police acronym DUI, for “driving under the influence.” [Second half of 1800s]

Example Sentences

During the case, the driver was drug tested too late to establish whether he was under the influence at the time of the incident.

From BBC

Officers attempted to stop a blue Ford van near Ballymagorry driven by a man believed to be under the influence of alcohol.

From BBC

“Kurt Struebing of NME” focuses on the mentally ill Seattle black metal guitarist and singer who murdered his mother while under the influence but put his life together after eight years in prison, only to later steer his car off a bridge.

From Los Angeles Times

“Judas Priest on Trial” recalls how the English band was sued when two young fans executed a suicide pact — one successful, one surviving but disfigured — supposedly under the influence of a subliminal message in their music.

From Los Angeles Times

Remember that fun guy I described who had a habit of driving under the influence?

From Salon