Under the Weather – तबीयत ठीक न होना / बीमार सा महसूस करना

The idiom “under the weather” is commonly used to describe feeling unwell, sick, or generally in poor health. It can also refer to a person who is feeling a bit down or lacking in energy, not necessarily due to a serious illness but possibly due to a mild cold, fatigue, or just feeling off.

✔ Meaning:
“Under the weather” refers to a person feeling ill, unwell, or not in their usual state of health. It’s often used to describe temporary or mild sickness, such as a cold, flu, or just feeling physically and mentally drained. The phrase does not indicate a severe illness but suggests that someone is not feeling their best.

✔ Used When:

• Describing someone who is feeling ill or has mild sickness like a cold or flu.
• Mentioning a person who is feeling tired or exhausted.
• To explain why someone might be absent or unable to participate in activities due to feeling unwell.

✔ Implied Message:
When someone says they are “under the weather,” it generally means they are not physically feeling great, but it doesn’t necessarily mean they are seriously ill. It can refer to minor ailments like a cold, headache, or fatigue that might make someone feel off for a short period. This phrase is often used to express that the person is not at their full energy but doesn’t necessarily have a serious medical condition.

Hindi Equivalent:
“तबीयत ठीक न होना / बीमार सा महसूस करना”

🧠 Detailed Explanation
The idiom “under the weather” likely originated in sailing terminology, where sailors would sometimes fall ill during long journeys at sea. The weather conditions, like bad storms, could affect their health, and the term came to signify someone who was not feeling well due to external factors. It is now commonly used to describe mild sickness or feeling off in a general sense.

Example Sentences:
English: “I’m feeling a little under the weather today, so I think I’ll stay in bed and rest.”
Hindi: “आज मेरी तबीयत ठीक नहीं है, तो मैं बिस्तर पर आराम करूंगा।”

English: “She’s been under the weather for the past few days, so she’s not coming to work.”
Hindi: “वो पिछले कुछ दिनों से बीमार सी महसूस कर रही है, इसलिए वो काम पर नहीं आ रही है।”

Key Takeaways:

• “Under the weather” is a common idiom used to describe feeling sick or unwell, often with mild symptoms.
• It does not refer to serious illness but to feeling off, tired, or slightly ill.
• This idiom can be used when someone feels mentally or physically drained due to minor health issues or exhaustion.

✔ Origin of the Idiom:
The phrase “under the weather” is believed to have nautical origins, coming from the times when sailors would get sick during voyages and were kept below deck in harsh weather conditions. As time passed, the phrase evolved to mean feeling ill or unwell in general.

✔ Real-World Examples:

In Professional Contexts:
English: “Tom is under the weather today, so he won’t be able to attend the meeting.”
Hindi: “टॉम आज बीमार सा महसूस कर रहा है, इसलिए वह बैठक में शामिल नहीं हो पाएगा।”

In Casual Conversations:
English: “I’m feeling under the weather after that long flight, I think I need some rest.”
Hindi: “उस लंबी उड़ान के बाद मुझे थोड़ा बीमार सा महसूस हो रहा है, लगता है मुझे थोड़ा आराम करना चाहिए।”

When to Use the Idiom:

• When you’re explaining that you don’t feel well but don’t want to specify a particular illness.
• To describe someone who is feeling unwell but doesn’t have a serious medical condition.
• If you’re trying to be polite about not being able to participate in something due to feeling unwell.

Reflection Questions:

• Have you ever used the phrase “under the weather” to describe how you were feeling?
• Why do you think this idiom became popular in English?
• How would you explain the meaning of this idiom to someone who’s not familiar with it?

🔁 Similar Expressions

English Idiom	Hindi Meaning
Feeling blue	उदास होना
Under the knife	ऑपरेशन होना
In the pink of health	पूर्ण रूप से स्वस्थ होना
A clean bill of health	स्वास्थ्य की पूरी रिपोर्ट