under the weather — feeling slightly unwell
expressionB1IELTS 5+informalcommon
A gentle, everyday way to say you feel a bit ill — not seriously sick, just off-colour.
Pattern: [subject] + be + (a bit/a little) under the weather
In use
- I'm feeling a bit under the weather, so I might head home early.telling a colleague
- A: You're very quiet today — everything okay?
B: I'm a bit under the weather, to be honest.at work
Common mistake
✗ I am under weather today.
✓ I'm a bit under the weather today.
Keep the full phrase 'under the weather' — don't drop 'the'.
Don't confuse it
'Under the weather' = mildly unwell; 'come down with something' is stronger.