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Health Idioms

Health Idioms

Date: Oct 05 2007

Topic: Idioms and Slang

Author: rhyme_reason

Lesson

To say that you are in good health, you can use the expressions 'as fit as a fiddle' or 'fighting fit'.
  • I've never felt better. I'm really fighting fit.
  • After those vitamins the doctor gave me, I feel as fit as a fiddle.
(Yes, 'fiddle' is another word for 'violin'. No, I don't understand the origins of this expression either!)To say that you are OK ( but are not in really good health) use 'I can't complain'
  • I've had a bit of a cold but I can't complain.
(As I'm still off work, I've not been able to check out if this expression is used in US English. I'll let you know later.)To say that you have recovered from an illness, you can use these expressions:
  • I was knocked out for a few days but now I'm back on my feet.
  • I was quite ill but now I feel as right as rain.
  • I'm well on the way to recovery.
  • The doctor gave me a clean bill of health.
Here are some expressions to indicate you are not in good health.
  • I'm a bit out of sorts.
  • I'm going down with something.
  • I'm feeling very run down.
  • There's a bug going round and I think I've got it.
  • I'm feeling a bit off-colour/off-color.
  • I'm feeling under the weather.
Here is an expression for bad headaches.
  • I've got a splitting headache.
Here is an expression to indicate a lot of pain.
  • My legs are killing me.
  • My back is killing me.
Here is an expression to indicate a serious illness.
  • He's in a very bad way.

Comments

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ChazDog

United States

As an American, “fit as a fiddle” is really old fashioned!  It’s like something my grandma would say. If you want to be cool, don’t use this expression. 


04:28 PM Jul 01 2021 |

karavani

karavani

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

Tnx teacher


What about this idiom


” alive and kicking” ? Can it be suitable for health idioms?

09:36 AM Jan 20 2015 |

shaiioi

Pakistan

Of origin “as the top form” – the phrase was originally “healthy as a musician,” as a person who plays the violin (fiddle folk music). Fiddlers people took a very energetic, very fit. See a good game sometimes violinist, and soon


cholesterol levels

05:27 AM Jul 08 2011 |

kcaprendiendo

United States

I think this may have been mentioned, but, just to be safe:
In American English, the phrase is, “I think I’m coming down with something.”
“Going down” has a entirely different and, honestly, vulgar connotation.
Excuse me, but – for a cautionary explanation – in the States, to “go down” on someone or something refers to oral sex.

03:52 PM Jul 16 2010 |

dspi

United Kingdom

The origin of "as fit as a fiddle" – the phrase was originally "as fit as a fiddler", as in a person who plays the fiddle (violin in folk music). Fiddlers were considered to be very energetic people, therefore very fit. Watch a good fiddler playing sometime and you'll soon understand!

01:32 PM Jun 08 2009 |

boy from Baku

Azerbaijan

it's interesting

07:49 PM Mar 22 2008 |

sherryfun

sherryfun

Taiwan

Thanks very much for helping us learning the usage of the Idioms and Slang.  Your lessons are so great, thank you !!Smile

                                      

12:46 PM Mar 08 2008 |

sekartami

sekartami

Indonesia

Very useful to help me tell my condition when I was not health to my friend… thanks very much…

06:54 AM Mar 05 2008 |

athenazhang

China

thank you ,it's helpful for me .

 

05:35 AM Mar 05 2008 |

didomore

Colombia

It is good to know this kind of expressions thanks for this lessons

11:04 PM Mar 04 2008 |

docmann

docmann

Switzerland

Thank you..I'm interested…

10:48 PM Mar 04 2008 |

thepinkrose1

Palestinian Territory, Occupied

Thank you for this interesting topic .I loved it very much because it is from the daily life. I hope that no one has any hurt to use it.

06:02 PM Mar 04 2008 |

boyxibinwu

China

thank you, sir

03:15 PM Mar 04 2008 |

boyxibinwu

China

it is good! i can learn more expressions here.

03:12 PM Mar 04 2008 |

winer129

winer129

Yemen

Thanks for this information

It is the firest time i hear it

it is make me good for expersion illness

08:25 AM Mar 04 2008 |

Rohat

Rohat

Syrian Arab Republic

thank you very much

for this information

12:12 AM Mar 04 2008 |

country_gal_16

United States

Hey everybody. How are you all doing today.

07:34 PM Mar 03 2008 |

Michael4739

United States

I think in the US the expression is "I think I'm coming down with something", not "going down with something."

02:04 PM Mar 03 2008 |

elsapo

elsapo

Dominica

all expressions are very important thanks this  realy help me to lear more

03:51 AM Mar 03 2008 |

illiassine

illiassine

Morocco

thanks

12:42 AM Mar 03 2008 |

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