Good health is very important. It helps us feel strong, happy, and full of energy. Sometimes, people use special phrases called idioms to talk about health. These idioms don’t mean exactly what the words say, but they help us understand how someone feels in a fun and interesting way. For example, if someone says they are “under the weather,” they don’t mean they are standing in the rain. They mean they are not feeling well.
These idioms can be about feeling sick, getting better, or even being very healthy. People use them when they talk with friends, family, or even in stories. In this article, we will learn 45 different idioms about health. Each idiom will have a simple meaning, some example sentences, and a fun fact to help you remember it. Get ready to learn some cool ways to talk about how people feel.
Idioms About Health
1. As fit as a fiddle
Meaning: Very healthy and strong
Example Sentence:
– My grandpa is 80 but he’s as fit as a fiddle.
– After resting, she felt as fit as a fiddle again.
Other ways to say: Very healthy, in great shape
Fun Fact/Origin: A fiddle (violin) needs to be in perfect condition to play well—just like a healthy person.
Usage: Use this when someone feels or looks super healthy.
2. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling sick
Example Sentence:
– I didn’t go to school because I was under the weather.
– Mom stayed in bed because she felt under the weather.
Other ways to say: Not feeling well, feeling sick
Fun Fact/Origin: Sailors used this phrase when they felt seasick and stayed below deck.
Usage: Use this when you’re not feeling your best.
3. Back on your feet
Meaning: Feeling better after being sick
Example Sentence:
– I was sick for a week, but now I’m back on my feet.
– After resting, he was back on his feet and playing outside.
Other ways to say: Recovered, well again
Fun Fact/Origin: Think of someone getting up from bed after being sick.
Usage: Use this when someone is feeling better and active again.
4. A picture of health
Meaning: Someone who looks very healthy
Example Sentence:
– She eats well and exercises—she’s a picture of health.
– After the flu, he looked like the picture of health.
Other ways to say: Very healthy-looking, glowing
Fun Fact/Origin: It means someone looks so healthy they could be in a photo showing health.
Usage: Use when someone looks strong and well.
5. On the mend
Meaning: Getting better after illness or injury
Example Sentence:
– I’m still tired, but I’m on the mend.
– After the surgery, she was on the mend.
Other ways to say: Recovering, healing
Fun Fact/Origin: “Mend” means to fix or heal something.
Usage: Use when someone is starting to feel better.
6. Feel out of sorts
Meaning: Not feeling like yourself
Example Sentence:
– I didn’t eat breakfast, and now I feel out of sorts.
– He didn’t want to play because he felt out of sorts.
Other ways to say: Feeling off, not yourself
Fun Fact/Origin: This means your body or mood feels mixed up.
Usage: Use when you feel a little sick or not normal.
7. Alive and kicking
Meaning: Healthy and full of energy
Example Sentence:
– After his nap, he was alive and kicking.
– Grandma is 90 and still alive and kicking.
Other ways to say: Energetic, full of life
Fun Fact/Origin: “Kicking” shows someone is moving and doing well.
Usage: Use when someone is active and healthy.
8. Run down
Meaning: Feeling tired or worn out
Example Sentence:
– I’ve been so busy, I feel run down.
– He didn’t sleep much and felt run down.
Other ways to say: Tired, worn out
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from machines that lose power—like people do.
Usage: Use when you’re tired and low on energy.
9. Just what the doctor ordered
Meaning: Something perfect for helping you feel better
Example Sentence:
– That nap was just what the doctor ordered.
– A fun movie is just what the doctor ordered after a long day.
Other ways to say: Just right, exactly needed
Fun Fact/Origin: Doctors give medicine, but this idiom means any good solution.
Usage: Use when something is perfect for making you feel better.
10. Full of beans
Meaning: Very energetic and lively
Example Sentence:
– After lunch, the kids were full of beans.
– She’s always full of beans in the morning.
Other ways to say: Hyper, full of energy
Fun Fact/Origin: Beans were once believed to give people lots of energy.
Usage: Use when someone is very active and happy.
11. Kick the bucket
Meaning: To die
Example Sentence:
– That old fish finally kicked the bucket.
– The movie was about a dog who kicked the bucket.
Other ways to say: Passed away, died
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase may come from people standing on a bucket that gets kicked away.
Usage: Used in a light or silly way to talk about death.
12. Catch your breath
Meaning: To rest after being tired
Example Sentence:
– Let me catch my breath after running.
– She stopped to catch her breath after jumping rope.
Other ways to say: Rest a moment, breathe
Fun Fact/Origin: After exercise, we often need to breathe deeply to feel better.
Usage: Use after doing something tiring.
13. In bad shape
Meaning: Not healthy or strong
Example Sentence:
– He was in bad shape after skipping meals.
– The bike was in bad shape and needed fixing—just like his health.
Other ways to say: Unhealthy, not well
Fun Fact/Origin: Can be used for people and things.
Usage: Use when someone’s health is poor.
14. Hit the gym
Meaning: Go exercise at a fitness center
Example Sentence:
– Dad hits the gym every morning.
– I feel better after I hit the gym.
Other ways to say: Exercise, work out
Fun Fact/Origin: “Hit” just means “go to” here.
Usage: Used when talking about doing workouts.
15. Drop like flies
Meaning: Many people getting sick or hurt at once
Example Sentence:
– Kids were dropping like flies with the flu.
– At camp, kids dropped like flies from sunburn.
Other ways to say: Many people getting sick
Fun Fact/Origin: Flies fall quickly when sprayed, like people getting sick.
Usage: Use when lots of people are affected at the same time.
16. Take your medicine
Meaning: Accept something unpleasant you must do
Example Sentence:
– He didn’t like it, but he took his medicine and apologized.
– She took her medicine and studied harder.
Other ways to say: Deal with it, face it
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea that medicine might taste bad but helps you.
Usage: Use when someone does something they don’t want to but must.
17. Break out in a cold sweat
Meaning: Get suddenly scared or sick
Example Sentence:
– I broke out in a cold sweat before my speech.
– He broke out in a cold sweat after hearing the bad news.
Other ways to say: Get really nervous, feel scared
Fun Fact/Origin: The body reacts this way to fear or sickness.
Usage: Use when someone suddenly feels very nervous or afraid.
18. An apple a day keeps the doctor away
Meaning: Eating healthy food helps you stay well
Example Sentence:
– Mom always says, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.”
– I pack an apple in my lunch—can’t hurt!
Other ways to say: Eat well to stay healthy
Fun Fact/Origin: A popular saying from the 1800s in Wales.
Usage: Used to remind people to eat healthy.
19. Green around the gills
Meaning: Looking sick
Example Sentence:
– He looked green around the gills after the roller coaster.
– I felt green around the gills during the car ride.
Other ways to say: Look sick, feel queasy
Fun Fact/Origin: Fish have gills, and “green” means looking pale or sick.
Usage: Use when someone looks like they’re about to throw up.
20. Have a clean bill of health
Meaning: Told by the doctor that you’re healthy
Example Sentence:
– After the checkup, I got a clean bill of health.
– She was happy the vet gave her dog a clean bill of health.
Other ways to say: Everything’s fine, all good
Fun Fact/Origin: Doctors used to give actual written reports called “bills.”
Usage: Use when someone is found to be healthy.
21. Sick as a dog
Meaning: Very sick
Example Sentence:
– I was sick as a dog after that milkshake.
– He was sick as a dog all weekend.
Other ways to say: Very sick, super ill
Fun Fact/Origin: Dogs used to be seen as dirty animals, often sick.
Usage: Use when someone is really unwell.
22. Go under the knife
Meaning: Have surgery
Example Sentence:
– She had to go under the knife for her knee.
– He’s scared to go under the knife next week.
Other ways to say: Have an operation
Fun Fact/Origin: Doctors use knives in surgery, which is where the phrase comes from.
Usage: Used when someone is getting an operation.
23. A bitter pill to swallow
Meaning: Something hard to accept
Example Sentence:
– Losing the game was a bitter pill to swallow.
– It was a bitter pill when her best friend moved away.
Other ways to say: Hard to deal with, sad news
Fun Fact/Origin: Some pills taste bad but are needed—just like bad news.
Usage: Use when something tough happens.
24. In the pink of health
Meaning: Very healthy
Example Sentence:
– The baby is in the pink of health.
– After the flu, she’s now in the pink of health.
Other ways to say: Doing great, super healthy
Fun Fact/Origin: “Pink” meant healthy color in cheeks.
Usage: Use when someone is totally well.
25. Get a second wind
Meaning: Feel more energy after being tired
Example Sentence:
– After lunch, I got my second wind.
– She got her second wind and finished the race.
Other ways to say: Get energy again
Fun Fact/Origin: Runners often feel tired, then suddenly get more energy.
Usage: Use when someone suddenly feels ready again.
26. Out cold
Meaning: Unconscious or deeply asleep
Example Sentence:
– After falling off his bike, he was out cold.
– She was so tired she was out cold by 8 PM.
Other ways to say: Knocked out, deeply asleep
Fun Fact/Origin: “Cold” means no movement or alertness.
Usage: Use when someone is sleeping hard or fainted.
27. Clean as a whistle
Meaning: Very clean and healthy
Example Sentence:
– The doctor said my lungs are clean as a whistle.
– After brushing, her teeth were clean as a whistle.
Other ways to say: Very clean, spotless
Fun Fact/Origin: Whistles don’t work well if dirty, so they’re kept clean.
Usage: Use when something or someone is very clean or in good shape.
28. Break a sweat
Meaning: To start sweating during exercise
Example Sentence:
– He didn’t break a sweat during the mile run.
– I broke a sweat just climbing the stairs.
Other ways to say: Get sweaty, work hard
Fun Fact/Origin: Sweating shows your body is working.
Usage: Use when someone starts getting warm from effort.
29. Feel like a million bucks
Meaning: Feel great
Example Sentence:
– After the massage, I felt like a million bucks.
– She got dressed up and felt like a million bucks.
Other ways to say: Feel amazing, feel super
Fun Fact/Origin: “Million bucks” means something very good or valuable.
Usage: Use when someone feels wonderful.
30. Catch a bug
Meaning: Get a small illness, like a cold or flu
Example Sentence:
– I think I caught a bug at school.
– He stayed home after catching a bug.
Other ways to say: Get sick, fall ill
Fun Fact/Origin: “Bug” is short for virus or germ.
Usage: Use when someone catches a mild illness.
31. Take it easy
Meaning: Rest or not work too hard
Example Sentence:
– The doctor told me to take it easy.
– You should take it easy after staying up all night.
Other ways to say: Rest, relax
Fun Fact/Origin: This phrase reminds people not to overdo it.
Usage: Use when someone needs to slow down or recover.
32. Hang by a thread
Meaning: Be in very bad condition
Example Sentence:
– His health was hanging by a thread after the accident.
– The old dog’s life was hanging by a thread.
Other ways to say: Very weak, in danger
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of something barely holding on.
Usage: Use when health or life is in danger.
33. Burned out
Meaning: Extremely tired or stressed
Example Sentence:
– After finals week, I was burned out.
– She felt burned out after working every day.
Other ways to say: Worn out, exhausted
Fun Fact/Origin: Think of a candle used up and no longer burning.
Usage: Use when someone is drained from stress or work.
34. On your last legs
Meaning: Almost too tired or sick to keep going
Example Sentence:
– I was on my last legs after running all day.
– That old cat is on its last legs.
Other ways to say: Almost finished, very weak
Fun Fact/Origin: Used for machines or people that are close to stopping.
Usage: Use when someone or something is very weak.
35. Build up your strength
Meaning: Get stronger after being sick or weak
Example Sentence:
– After being sick, he needs to build up his strength.
– She drank soup to build up her strength.
Other ways to say: Get strong again
Fun Fact/Origin: Used when someone is recovering and needs to eat or rest more.
Usage: Use when regaining health or energy.
36. Throw up
Meaning: To vomit
Example Sentence:
– I felt so sick I had to throw up.
– He threw up after too much candy.
Other ways to say: Get sick, barf
Fun Fact/Origin: Describes the action of food coming back up.
Usage: Use when someone is sick to their stomach.
37. Break a bone
Meaning: To fracture a bone
Example Sentence:
– She broke a bone in her arm while skating.
– He had to wear a cast after breaking a bone.
Other ways to say: Fracture, get hurt
Fun Fact/Origin: Bones can snap from hard falls—this is a common injury idiom.
Usage: Use when talking about serious injuries.
38. Out of breath
Meaning: Breathing hard after activity
Example Sentence:
– I was out of breath after soccer practice.
– She got out of breath walking up the hill.
Other ways to say: Winded, tired
Fun Fact/Origin: Your body needs more air when you move a lot.
Usage: Use after exercise or fast movement.
39. Pass out
Meaning: To faint or lose consciousness
Example Sentence:
– He passed out from standing in the heat too long.
– She passed out after giving blood.
Other ways to say: Faint, black out
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the idea of your senses “passing away” for a moment.
Usage: Use when someone briefly loses consciousness.
40. Out of shape
Meaning: Not healthy or fit
Example Sentence:
– I got tired quickly—I’m out of shape.
– He’s out of shape from not running all winter.
Other ways to say: Unfit, not strong
Fun Fact/Origin: The “shape” refers to the body not being strong or able to keep up.
Usage: Use when someone needs more exercise.
41. Get your heart rate up
Meaning: Do something active to make your heart beat faster
Example Sentence:
– Jumping jacks help get your heart rate up.
– You should walk fast to get your heart rate up.
Other ways to say: Exercise, move your body
Fun Fact/Origin: Doctors say a healthy heart rate is a sign of good exercise.
Usage: Use when encouraging physical activity.
42. Lay low
Meaning: Rest and avoid doing too much
Example Sentence:
– I laid low all weekend after getting sick.
– He’s laying low to fight off a cold.
Other ways to say: Rest, stay quiet
Fun Fact/Origin: Means staying “low” so nothing disturbs you.
Usage: Use when someone is trying to recover.
43. Fight it off
Meaning: Use your body’s strength to beat an illness
Example Sentence:
– I think I can fight off this sore throat with tea.
– She’s trying to fight off the flu before school starts.
Other ways to say: Recover, get better
Fun Fact/Origin: Your immune system “fights” germs inside you.
Usage: Use when trying to stop getting sick.
44. Have a check-up
Meaning: Visit the doctor for a health exam
Example Sentence:
– I had a check-up to make sure I’m okay.
– The dog went for his yearly check-up.
Other ways to say: Doctor visit, health check
Fun Fact/Origin: “Check-up” means someone looks over your health.
Usage: Use when seeing a doctor for no big reason—just to stay healthy.
45. Throw in the towel
Meaning: Give up or stop trying (often from being too tired or sick)
Example Sentence:
– He threw in the towel and went home sick.
– I wanted to throw in the towel during the race.
Other ways to say: Give up, quit
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from boxing, where a coach throws a towel to stop the fight.
Usage: Use when someone is too tired or unwell to keep going.
Quiz: Idioms About Health
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 “under the weather” mean?
A) Playing outside in the rain
B) Not feeling well
C) Being sleepy in the morning
2. If someone is “fit as a fiddle,” they are:
A) Very healthy
B) Very tired
C) Playing music
3. What does “catch a bug” mean?
A) Catching an insect
B) Getting a cold or flu
C) Running fast
4. If someone is “on the mend,” they are:
A) Getting worse
B) Getting better
C) Feeling sleepy
5. What does “feel like a million bucks” mean?
A) Having a lot of money
B) Feeling really good
C) Buying new clothes
6. If you’re “burned out,” how do you feel?
A) Full of energy
B) Very tired and stressed
C) Very happy
7. What does “throw up” mean?
A) Toss something in the air
B) Get really sick and vomit
C) Run quickly
8. If you “take it easy,” what are you doing?
A) Doing a lot of chores
B) Playing a game
C) Resting and not working hard
9. What does “drop like flies” mean?
A) People falling asleep
B) Many people getting sick or hurt at once
C) Catching bugs in the air
10. If someone “passes out,” they:
A) Take a test
B) Fall asleep
C) Faint or lose consciousness
11. What does “get a clean bill of health” mean?
A) Get a new doctor
B) Get checked and found healthy
C) Pay a hospital bill
12. If someone is “out of shape,” they are:
A) Not healthy or fit
B) Ready for a race
C) Feeling happy
13. What does “hang by a thread” mean?
A) Hanging clothes to dry
B) Someone is barely okay or very weak
C) Going outside on a windy day
14. If you “throw in the towel,” what are you doing?
A) Cleaning up
B) Giving up
C) Starting something new
15. What does “back on your feet” mean?
A) Standing in a line
B) Feeling better after being sick
C) Walking outside barefoot
Answer Key
- B – Not feeling well
- A – Very healthy
- B – Getting a cold or flu
- B – Getting better
- B – Feeling really good
- B – Very tired and stressed
- B – Get really sick and vomit
- C – Resting and not working hard
- B – Many people getting sick or hurt at once
- C – Faint or lose consciousness
- B – Get checked and found healthy
- A – Not healthy or fit
- B – Someone is barely okay or very weak
- B – Giving up
- B – Feeling better after being sick
Wrapping Up
Health idioms help us talk about how we feel in fun and clear ways. Whether you’re feeling “under the weather” or “fit as a fiddle,” these phrases make conversations easier and more interesting. Some idioms are used when we’re sick, others when we feel strong again. Learning them helps us understand people better and talk about our own feelings too.
Next time you feel a little off, try using one of these idioms. It’s a simple way to show how your body feels, and it can make everyday talking more fun. Keep these idioms in mind—you’ll hear them a lot, and now you’ll know just what they mean.
