under the influence

Idioms  

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]

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Example Sentences

Geren had come under the influence of some midgrade officers, notably Col.

From Slate • Jun. 5, 2026

Many parents and teachers have raised concerns that local authorities are under the influence of the AI industry, which has broadly been pushing its wares for government use.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

Instead, it repeatedly shifted between wetter and drier conditions under the influence of orbital forcing tied to precession cycles.

From Science Daily • May 27, 2026

Believing we were simply two good people who’d rushed to the altar under the influence of euphoric new love and the pressure of an expiring visa was far less painful than the truth.

From Los Angeles Times • May 22, 2026

The winter mantle had gone, taking with it Sir Grummore, Master Twyti, King Pellinore and the Questing Beast—the latter having revived under the influence of kindliness and bread and milk.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White