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

Dick Van Dyke was reportedly under the weather Saturday and couldn’t host his recurring Vandy Camp fan event with his wife at the couple’s namesake theater at Malibu High School.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 30, 2025

Being under the weather couldn't keep Morgan from keeping tabs on the team and his Knicks-branded phone case was visible in the photo.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 2025

She returned to public duties last week, but is understood to still be under the weather after a busy week of engagements.

From BBC • Nov. 22, 2024

The pope has been under the weather for several days.

From New York Times • Feb. 28, 2024

She said she was feeling under the weather.

From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin