If you want to sound natural and fluent in English, learning common idioms is essential. Native speakers often use idioms to express feelings and situations in a short, smart way. One such very common daily-use idiom is “Under the Weather.”
In this blog post, you’ll learn its English meaning, Hindi meaning, real-life examples, correct usage, common mistakes, and when NOT to use it—perfect for spoken English, blogs, and everyday conversation.
Idiom
Under the weather
English Meaning
Feeling slightly ill, unwell, or not in good health (not seriously sick).
Hindi Meaning
तबियत ठीक न होना,
हल्का बीमार या अस्वस्थ महसूस करना।
🔹 Why This Idiom Is Important
Instead of saying “I am not feeling well” again and again, this idiom helps you:
- Sound more natural
- Speak like a native
- Express health issues politely and softly
That’s why it’s very popular in spoken English.
🔹 Real-Life Examples (Correct Usage)
✅ Example 1: Daily Life
English:
I’m feeling under the weather today, so I’ll stay at home.
Hindi:
आज मेरी तबियत ठीक नहीं है, इसलिए मैं घर पर ही रहूँगा।
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✅ Example 2: Workplace
English:
She didn’t come to the office because she was under the weather.
Hindi:
वह ऑफिस नहीं आई क्योंकि उसकी तबियत ठीक नहीं थी।
✅ Example 3: Friends & Social Life
English:
I skipped the party as I was under the weather.
Hindi:
मैं पार्टी में नहीं गया क्योंकि मैं ठीक महसूस नहीं कर रहा था।
✅ Example 4: Natural Spoken English
English:
You look under the weather. Are you okay?
Hindi:
तुम ठीक नहीं लग रहे हो, सब ठीक है?
Common Sentence Patterns
- I am under the weather.
- He looks under the weather.
- She felt under the weather yesterday.
- 👉 Mostly used with feel / look / be.
❌ When NOT to Use This Idiom (Very Important)
❌ 1. For Serious or Critical Illness
Wrong:
He was under the weather after a major surgery.
👉 This idiom is for mild illness, not serious medical conditions.
❌ 2. In Formal or Medical Writing
Wrong:
The patient is under the weather.
Correct (Formal):
The patient is unwell / ill / suffering from fever.
Idioms should be avoided in medical reports, exams, or official documents.
❌ 3. For Mental or Emotional Problems
Wrong:
He is under the weather because of depression.
👉 This idiom is mainly for physical health, not mental health issues.
🔹 Better Alternatives (Formal English)
- Unwell
- Not feeling well
- Slightly ill
- Indisposed
🔹 Easy Memory Trick 🧠
👉 Bad weather makes us feel low and lazy
👉 Same feeling when we’re sick
So,
Under the weather = Not feeling well
🔹 Practice for Readers
Fill in the blank:
I won’t join the match today because I’m __________.
✅ Answer: under the weather
Final Tip
Use “under the weather” only for mild sickness and mostly in spoken or informal English. That’s how you’ll sound confident and natural.
👉 Next in Series:
Idiom No. 5 – Spill the Beans (meaning, Hindi explanation & real-life usage)
