Question

I'm feeling a bit under the weather today, so I'm staying home from work.

• A. Standing in the rain
• B. Feeling slightly ill
• C. Feeling sad and depressed
• D. Feeling very healthy

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Feeling slightly ill

Understanding the Idiom: 'Under the Weather'

• The idiom 'under the weather' means feeling slightly unwell, sick, or ill. It implies a mild sense of sickness rather than a severe or debilitating illness.
• It is commonly used in informal conversations to explain why someone might be absent from work, school, or social engagements.

• Origin and Etymology:

  • The most widely accepted origin of this idiom dates back to maritime history, specifically the 18th and 19th centuries.
  • Sailors who were feeling seasick would often be sent below deck, or to the 'weather bow' (the side of the ship exposed to the wind and rough seas) to avoid the full force of the storm. Being 'under' the weather, in this context, meant being sheltered from the harsh elements, often because one was too ill to withstand them.
  • Another theory suggests it refers to a sailor feeling ill and being sent below the ship's deck, thus literally 'under the weather deck', to recover from seasickness.
  • The phrase suggests a temporary indisposition, similar to how bad weather is temporary.

• Usage in Competitive Exams:

  • Idioms and phrases are a common component of English Language and Comprehension sections in various competitive exams (e.g., SSC CGL, Banking Exams, UPSC, CAT, GRE).
  • Questions often test the understanding of the idiom's meaning, its correct usage in sentences, or identification of synonyms/antonyms for the idiom.
  • Example Context: "I'm feeling a bit under the weather today, so I'm staying home from work." Here, it clearly indicates the speaker is feeling slightly ill.

  • Related Idioms/Phrases:

    • 'Feeling poorly': Another informal way to say feeling unwell.
    • 'Out of sorts': Feeling slightly unwell or unhappy.
    • 'Down with something': Suffering from an illness (e.g., down with the flu).
  • Understanding the historical context of idioms can often help in remembering their meanings, which is beneficial for exam preparation.