Doctors are important people who help us stay healthy. They do more than just treat illnesses—they also give advice on how to live a healthy life. Many common sayings and idioms are related to doctors. These expressions show how important doctors are in our daily lives. Some idioms come from the way doctors work, while others come from how people feel about doctors and their skills.
In this article, we will explore idioms about doctors. We will look at their meanings and how they are used in everyday conversations. By the end, you’ll be able to understand and use these idioms in your own talks about health and doctors. This will help you sound more natural and confident when you talk about this important topic.
Idioms About Doctors
1. An apple a day keeps the doctor away
Meaning: Eating healthy food can help you stay healthy and avoid doctor visits.
Example Sentence:
- If you eat fruits and vegetables every day, you’ll be less likely to get sick.
- Remember, an apple a day keeps the doctor away!
Other ways to say: Eat healthy to stay healthy.
Fun Fact/Origin: This saying comes from the idea that apples are healthy and can prevent illness.
Usage: Often used when talking about the importance of healthy eating.
2. Doctor’s orders
Meaning: Something a doctor says you must do, often to improve your health.
Example Sentence:
- I can’t go to the party tonight; it’s the doctor’s orders to rest.
- You should follow your doctor’s orders if you want to get better.
Other ways to say: The doctor said so.
Fun Fact/Origin: The phrase comes from the idea that doctors give important advice that must be followed for health.
Usage: Used to talk about what a doctor tells you to do.
3. Go under the knife
Meaning: To have surgery.
Example Sentence:
- My uncle had to go under the knife to fix his knee.
- She had to go under the knife to remove the tumor.
Other ways to say: Have surgery.
Fun Fact/Origin: The phrase refers to a surgeon using a knife in an operation.
Usage: Often used when someone needs a medical operation.
4. On the mend
Meaning: Getting better after being sick or hurt.
Example Sentence:
- After a week of rest, I’m finally on the mend.
- The doctor says she’s on the mend after her surgery.
Other ways to say: Recovering, getting better.
Fun Fact/Origin: The phrase “mend” means to fix or heal something, like a broken bone.
Usage: Used when someone is improving after illness or injury.
5. At death’s door
Meaning: Very close to dying, very sick.
Example Sentence:
- He was so sick last week, he was at death’s door.
- After the accident, she was at death’s door for several days.
Other ways to say: Very ill, near the end.
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to being so sick that it feels like you are standing at the door of death.
Usage: Used to describe someone who is very sick.
6. A clean bill of health
Meaning: A statement from a doctor that says someone is healthy.
Example Sentence:
- After the check-up, the doctor gave me a clean bill of health.
- She was happy to get a clean bill of health after her yearly exam.
Other ways to say: Good health report.
Fun Fact/Origin: The phrase comes from the idea of receiving a document that confirms you are healthy.
Usage: Often used after a doctor confirms you are healthy.
7. Call the shots
Meaning: To be in control or make decisions.
Example Sentence:
- The doctor calls the shots on how long I need to rest.
- She calls the shots when it comes to her treatment plan.
Other ways to say: Make the decisions, be in charge.
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from the idea of someone controlling a situation, like calling the shots in a game.
Usage: Used when someone is in control of a situation.
8. As fit as a fiddle
Meaning: Very healthy.
Example Sentence:
- After his recovery, he’s as fit as a fiddle!
- She runs every day, so she’s as fit as a fiddle.
Other ways to say: In great shape, very healthy.
Fun Fact/Origin: The phrase “fiddle” refers to a well-tuned instrument, comparing health to something working well.
Usage: Used to describe someone in great health.
9. Take a turn for the worse
Meaning: To become more ill or to get worse.
Example Sentence:
- He was feeling better, but then he took a turn for the worse.
- Her condition took a turn for the worse after the operation.
Other ways to say: Get worse, decline.
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of a situation suddenly changing direction for the worse.
Usage: Used when someone’s health or a situation worsens quickly.
10. Better safe than sorry
Meaning: It’s better to be cautious and avoid problems.
Example Sentence:
- I’ll go to the doctor just to be sure; better safe than sorry.
- He decided to get a flu shot—better safe than sorry.
Other ways to say: Caution is better than regret.
Fun Fact/Origin: The phrase encourages taking precautions to prevent problems.
Usage: Used when making careful decisions to avoid possible trouble.
11. A shot in the arm
Meaning: Something that helps improve or boost a situation.
Example Sentence:
- The new medicine was a real shot in the arm for her recovery.
- His positive attitude was a shot in the arm for the team.
Other ways to say: Boost, encouragement.
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to the boost of energy or improvement you get from an injection.
Usage: Often used to describe something that helps or improves a situation.
12. In the pink of health
Meaning: In very good health.
Example Sentence:
- After his surgery, he’s back to being in the pink of health.
- She eats healthy and exercises, so she’s always in the pink of health.
Other ways to say: In great shape, very healthy.
Fun Fact/Origin: The phrase “pink” is used to represent something fresh and healthy.
Usage: Used to describe someone in perfect health.
13. Put on the back burner
Meaning: To delay something for later.
Example Sentence:
- The doctor said I can put my follow-up appointment on the back burner until next month.
- We had to put the surgery on the back burner because of other health issues.
Other ways to say: Delay, postpone.
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase comes from cooking, where food is kept on the back burner to cook slowly while other dishes are prepared.
Usage: Used when something is put aside temporarily.
14. A bitter pill to swallow
Meaning: Something difficult or unpleasant to accept.
Example Sentence:
- It was a bitter pill to swallow when I found out I had to cancel my vacation for surgery.
- Telling her that she needs surgery was a bitter pill to swallow.
Other ways to say: Hard to accept, difficult to deal with.
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to the idea that medicine is often bitter and unpleasant.
Usage: Used when you have to accept something hard or unpleasant.
15. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling sick or unwell.
Example Sentence:
- I can’t come to school today; I’m feeling a little under the weather.
- She’s been under the weather with a cold for a few days.
Other ways to say: Sick, unwell.
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase might come from sailors who felt sick during bad weather at sea.
Usage: Used when someone is not feeling well.
16. A clean slate
Meaning: A fresh start, no past problems.
Example Sentence:
- After her surgery, she feels like she has a clean slate and is ready to start over.
- You can have a clean slate with your health if you make better choices.
Other ways to say: Fresh start, new beginning.
Fun Fact/Origin: This comes from the idea of a slate board, which can be wiped clean and used again.
Usage: Used when someone begins something with no past issues.
17. Back on track
Meaning: Returning to a normal or healthy state after a problem.
Example Sentence:
- After taking some medicine, I’m finally back on track.
- She was sick for a while but is back on track now.
Other ways to say: On the road to recovery, getting back to normal.
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to getting back to a path or course after being off-track.
Usage: Used when someone is recovering or returning to a normal state.
18. Under the knife
Meaning: To have surgery.
Example Sentence:
- He had to go under the knife to repair his broken arm.
- She went under the knife to fix the damage to her knee.
Other ways to say: Have surgery, get an operation.
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to the surgeon’s knife used in surgery.
Usage: Often used when someone needs surgery.
19. A doctor’s touch
Meaning: The skill or expertise of a doctor.
Example Sentence:
- After the surgery, she had a doctor’s touch to make her feel better.
- The doctor’s touch helped him heal faster.
Other ways to say: Expert care, skilled hands.
Fun Fact/Origin: This refers to the care and precision doctors give during treatment.
Usage: Used to describe the skill and care provided by a doctor.
20. In good hands
Meaning: Being taken care of by someone skilled or trusted.
Example Sentence:
- You’ll be in good hands with that doctor, she’s very experienced.
- Don’t worry, your health is in good hands with this team.
Other ways to say: Well cared for, in safe hands.
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to being cared for by someone you trust, like a doctor.
Usage: Used when someone is being cared for by a skilled person.
21. Take your medicine
Meaning: To accept something unpleasant or necessary.
Example Sentence:
- You need to take your medicine, even if you don’t like the taste.
- Sometimes you have to take your medicine and deal with things you don’t want to.
Other ways to say: Accept the situation, do what’s needed.
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to actually taking medicine, which can be unpleasant but necessary.
Usage: Used when you must accept something that is needed or required.
22. The doctor is in
Meaning: The doctor is available to see patients.
Example Sentence:
- The doctor is in today, so you can get your check-up.
- You don’t need an appointment right now; the doctor is in.
Other ways to say: The doctor is available, the doctor is ready.
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used to signal that a doctor is available for consultations.
Usage: Used when the doctor is ready to see patients.
23. To be on the road to recovery
Meaning: To be getting better after being sick or hurt.
Example Sentence:
- He broke his leg, but now he’s on the road to recovery.
- After surgery, she’s on the road to recovery and feeling much better.
Other ways to say: Recovering, improving.
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to the process of healing after being ill or injured.
Usage: Used when someone is getting better after an illness or injury.
24. In the doctor’s care
Meaning: Being treated or looked after by a doctor.
Example Sentence:
- He’s still in the doctor’s care after his surgery.
- She’s in the doctor’s care to help her recover from the illness.
Other ways to say: Under a doctor’s supervision, receiving medical care.
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to being cared for by a medical professional.
Usage: Used when someone is being treated by a doctor.
25. On a health kick
Meaning: Trying to live a healthier life, often by eating better or exercising.
Example Sentence:
- I’ve been on a health kick lately, eating more vegetables.
- He’s on a health kick and goes to the gym every day now.
Other ways to say: Living healthy, focusing on fitness.
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to a period when someone focuses on getting healthier.
Usage: Used when someone decides to start living a healthier lifestyle.
26. To be in bad shape
Meaning: To be in poor health.
Example Sentence:
- He’s in bad shape after his car accident and needs surgery.
- She’s in bad shape from being sick for so long.
Other ways to say: Unwell, in poor condition.
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to physical condition, often after an injury or illness.
Usage: Used to describe someone who is not in good health.
27. To catch something
Meaning: To get sick with an illness, usually a virus.
Example Sentence:
- I think I caught something from my friend who had the flu.
- He caught a cold from the rainy weather.
Other ways to say: Get sick, come down with an illness.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Catch” refers to the idea of getting an illness like it’s something you can grab.
Usage: Used when you become sick with a virus or illness.
28. Shake it off
Meaning: To recover quickly from a setback, such as an illness or injury.
Example Sentence:
- He sprained his ankle but was able to shake it off and keep going.
- Don’t worry about that cold, just shake it off and get back to work.
Other ways to say: Get over it, bounce back.
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to quickly recovering or moving past something, like shaking off dirt.
Usage: Used when encouraging someone to recover or move past a problem.
Quiz: Idioms About Doctors
Instructions: Read each question and the answer choices carefully. Pick the letter that best matches the meaning of the phrase or expression.
Question Key
1. What does the idiom “An apple a day keeps the doctor away” mean?
A) Eating apples helps you live longer.
B) Eating healthy food can prevent sickness.
C) Doctors love apples.
2. If someone is “on the mend,” what does it mean?
A) They are getting better after being sick.
B) They are going to the doctor for a check-up.
C) They are going to get surgery.
3. What does “under the weather” mean?
A) Feeling very healthy.
B) Feeling sick or unwell.
C) Feeling very tired.
4. What is a “clean bill of health”?
A) A report from the doctor that says you are healthy.
B) A note from the doctor that says you need medicine.
C) A healthy snack you eat every day.
5. If someone is “on the road to recovery,” what does that mean?
A) They are getting worse.
B) They are getting better after being sick or hurt.
C) They are still very sick.
6. What does “go under the knife” mean?
A) Go to a dentist.
B) Get surgery.
C) Eat a healthy meal.
7. If someone says, “better safe than sorry,” what are they saying?
A) It’s better to be cautious than regret it later.
B) It’s better to avoid the doctor.
C) It’s okay to take risks with your health.
8. What does “a shot in the arm” mean?
A) A painful shot from the doctor.
B) Something that helps improve a situation.
C) A way to get better after surgery.
9. What does “in the pink of health” mean?
A) You are in very good health.
B) You are feeling sick.
C) You are going to get a check-up soon.
10. If someone is “in good hands,” what does that mean?
A) They are being taken care of by someone trustworthy.
B) They are getting their hands treated by the doctor.
C) They are getting surgery on their hands.
Answer Key
- B) Eating healthy food can prevent sickness.
- A) They are getting better after being sick.
- B) Feeling sick or unwell.
- A) A report from the doctor that says you are healthy.
- B) They are getting better after being sick or hurt.
- B) Get surgery.
- A) It’s better to be cautious than regret it later.
- B) Something that helps improve a situation.
- A) You are in very good health.
- A) They are being taken care of by someone trustworthy.
Wrapping Up
We’ve explored a variety of doctor-related idioms and learned what they mean. Idioms are fun ways to understand language, and they can help us express ideas clearly. By using these idioms, we can talk about health and doctors in a creative way.
Now that you know some common idioms, you can try using them in your own conversations. Whether you’re talking about feeling sick or getting better, these expressions make talking about health easier and more interesting. Keep practicing and you’ll be an idiom expert in no time!
