under the weather
2 antonyms and opposites of under the weather, grouped by meaning.
Idiom — Slightly ill or not feeling your usual self.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. idiom informal
Slightly ill or not feeling your usual self.
“I'm a bit under the weather today, so I'll join the meeting by phone.”
Opposites
2. idiom informal, euphemistic
Suffering the after-effects of drinking too much alcohol.
“Half the office was distinctly under the weather the morning after the party.”
Antonyms
How to use under the weather
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Informal but perfectly acceptable in workplace email; it is a polite way of not going into detail.
Etymology
From under the weather bow (“affected by bad weather; seasick”); weather bow is a nautical term referring to the side of a ship exposed to bad weather.
Full origin of under the weather →Frequently asked questions
What does 'under the weather' mean exactly?
It means mildly unwell: a cold, a headache, general tiredness. It signals something minor and temporary, so it would be odd to use it about a serious illness such as pneumonia.
Where does the phrase 'under the weather' come from?
It is widely associated with sailing, where a seasick or ailing passenger would go below deck and out of the weather. The nautical link is plausible and often repeated, but the exact origin is not documented with certainty.
Is it polite to say you are under the weather at work?
Yes, and that is much of its usefulness. It excuses you without requiring you to describe symptoms, which is why it is so common in emails to a manager or a client.