Health & Body Idioms — Idioms
Feeling sick, feeling great, and everything between — health in idioms. · 10 idioms · Level B1
under the weather
Meaning: feeling slightly sick
informal calling in sick, daily talk
Example: I'm feeling a bit under the weather today — maybe an early night.
A You look pale.
B I'm a bit under the weather, honestly.
⚠️ Common mistake: Under the weather = mildly ill. For serious illness, say 'very sick' plainly.
fit as a fiddle
Meaning: very healthy and in great shape
informal praising health, grandparents
Example: At eighty, Grandpa Joe is fit as a fiddle.
A Ninety and still dancing?
B Fit as a fiddle, that woman.
⚠️ Common mistake: Fit as A fiddle — the fiddle is tuned and perfect. Cheerful, slightly old-fashioned charm.
back on your feet
Meaning: recovered after illness or a hard time
neutral recovery, encouragement
Example: After two weeks of flu, she's back on her feet.
A Glad to see you back on your feet.
B Thanks — the soup helped!
⚠️ Common mistake: Back on your FEET (plural) — you stand on two feet when recovered.
a clean bill of health
Meaning: an official statement that someone is healthy / an organization is in good condition
neutral doctor visits, inspections
Example: The doctor gave him a clean bill of health.
A The clinic gave her a clean bill of health.
B Best news all year.
⚠️ Common mistake: A clean bill of health — for people AND things: The bridge got a clean bill of health.
just what the doctor ordered
Meaning: exactly what someone needs to feel better
informal rest, treats, recovery
Example: A weekend at the lake was just what the doctor ordered.
A This soup is just what the doctor ordered.
B Family recipe. It cures everything.
⚠️ Common mistake: Usually NOT medicine — it's rest, sun, soup, laughter. The doctor is imaginary here.
recharge your batteries
Meaning: to rest and regain energy
neutral rest, vacations, burnout talk
Example: A quiet weekend recharges my batteries.
A I need to recharge my batteries.
B Take Sunday fully off, then.
⚠️ Common mistake: Recharge YOUR batteries (plural): recharge my batteries after a long week.
feel run down
Meaning: to feel tired and low in energy, often before getting sick
informal tiredness, minor illness
Example: I've felt run down all week — I need sleep.
A You seem run down lately.
B Work has been nonstop since March.
⚠️ Common mistake: Run down (two words, verb) vs rundown (noun: a summary). Here it's the tired feeling.
in good shape
Meaning: healthy and physically fit / in good condition
neutral fitness, condition of things
Example: He runs daily and is in good shape.
A Your grandfather is in good shape.
B Walks five miles a day!
⚠️ Common mistake: In good shape for bodies AND objects: The car is in good shape. Its twin is 'out of shape'.
out of shape
Meaning: not physically fit; getting tired easily
informal fitness talk, honesty
Example: I get out of breath on stairs — I'm out of shape.
A I'm so out of shape.
B Start with walks. Small steps.
⚠️ Common mistake: Out of shape about FITNESS (or objects in bad condition) — never about someone's body shape rudely.
a pain in the neck
Meaning: an annoying person or thing
informal complaining about annoyances
Example: This old printer is a pain in the neck.
A Filling these forms is a pain in the neck.
B Forty pages of pure joy, yes.
⚠️ Common mistake: A pain in the neck = ANNOYING (people, tasks, things) — almost never a real neck pain.
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