Under the Weather

"I woke up feeling terrible this morning. My head hurt, my throat was sore, and I just couldn’t get out of bed. My friend called and asked if I wanted to meet up, but I told them I was feeling under the weather. They said, ‘Get some rest and drink lots of tea.’ Good advice."

Question: What does "under the weather" mean in this context?

PIE PROMPTS

1. Pronunciation

• Listen to the audio and repeat or use it as a guide while you read. Focus on the phrase “under the weather” and its natural flow.

2. Intonation

• Sentence: “I told them I was feeling under the weather.”

• Intonation variations:

• “I told them I was feeling under the weather.” (Stressing I personalizes the statement.)

• “I told them I was feeling under the weather.” (Stressing feeling emphasizes the experience of being unwell.)

• “I told them I was feeling under the weather.” (Stressing weather highlights the metaphor.)

3. Expression

• Idiom: Under the weather means feeling sick or unwell.

• Use this idiom: When you are not feeling well and want to explain it casually.