Health Idioms

An Idiom is a group of words which, as a whole, has a different meaning of the words taken individually.

Example: to spill the beans means “to tell a secret or let the information out before one should do so

As white/pale as a sheet

Very pale; unwell; unhealthy

To get a spare tyre (informal)

If a person has a spare tyre, they have a roll of flesh around the waist.

To go under the knife

To have a medical operation

To be the picture of health

To look extremely healthy

To pull through

To get better after a serious illness, operation…

be as right as the rain

Feel very healthy.

be/feel under the weather

You feel slightly ill and not as well as usual

Consolidation: finish the sentences with the suitable words:

1. I haven’t been feeling well. I have been….a. Under the rainb. under the weather.c. snowed under.

2. The doctors say I’m….a. the portrait of health.b. the picture of health.c. the picture of prosperity.

3. His wife went… last night.a. under the water.b. under the weather.c. under the knife.

4. Although the man was very sick, I think he will….a. feel on top of the world.b. pull through.c. go under the knife.

5. No problem, no disease. Everything is fine! I feel….a. under the weather.b. on top of the world.c. in the skies.

6. You don’t look well at all. You’re as… as a sheet.

a. Yellowb. blue.c. white

7. Of course I can work. I feel as right as….

a. rain

b. snow.

c. wind.

8. I’d better go on a diet. I’m getting a …

a. spare wheel.

b. spare tyre.

c. spare part.