8 Cold & Flu-Related Phrases and How to Explain Them
Once the weather cools down, many students may start complaining about not feeling well.
This is a good time to teach them some common sickness-related expressions. Here are eight to get you started. As always, we've included explanations as well as example sentences.
Come down with ~
"Come down with" is a common way to say that you're starting to show symptoms of an illness.
I've been sneezing all day. I might be coming down with something.
I'm afraid I've come down with a bad cold, so I'll need to take the day off.
Students sometimes ask why the phrase is "come down with." It might help to explain that coming down with an illness is like being "overcome" by it.
Run-down
Another expression that uses the word "down" is "run-down," meaning "tired or exhausted." This tiredness often comes from overwork, but it can also be due to sickness.
My fever has gone away, but I still feel run-down.
You look a little run-down. Maybe you should go home and rest.
Nasty
Students probably know "nasty" in the sense of "not nice." They'll find it interesting that the word can also be used to describe colds.
I had a nasty cold last month, so I had to miss a few days of work.
I'm not sure if I have the flu or just a nasty cold.
Just point out that the word here means more than just "not nice." It's the same "nasty" that we use to describe things that cause a lot of damage, like a nasty storm that brings floods and power outages or a nasty injury that's difficult to recover from.
Under the weather
This general term for feeling sick is often used to talk about colds and the flu.
It may be useful to mention that while not exactly formal, it sounds slightly more professional than some of the others entries on this list.
I've been under the weather for the past few days.
If you're feeling under the weather, it's best to stay home in case you're contagious.
The sniffles
"The sniffles" is a cute way to refer to a mild cold that causes someone to sniffle a lot.
I've got the sniffles.
My dog's got a bad case of the sniffles.
The chills
As the name suggests, "the chills" make us feel cold and shake repeatedly.
I had the chills and couldn't sleep at all last night.
I've got a fever and the chills. I should stay in bed today.
It's possible that your student will confuse this with the common slang "chill / chill out," so be ready to explain that one refers to the body while the other refers to behavior and attitude.
The flu
Learners often wonder if it's “the flu” or just "flu." Across most English-speaking countries, "the flu" is standard. Be sure to point out that "a flu" — a common mistake among students — is inaccurate.
My coworker is out with the flu, so I’ll need to cover for him.
It usually takes a week for people to recover from the flu.
Have vs. Catch
When to use "catch" and when to use "have" is often the source of a lot of student confusion. You can explain that an illness is like a ball; after you catch a ball, you have it in your hands. In the same way, after you catch an illness, you have it in your body.
Additionally, "catch" refers to a one-time event, while "have" refers to the entire period of time someone is sick.
Tom caught a cold last week.
[= Tom caught a cold. We don't know if he still has it.]
Tom had a cold last week.
[= Tom no longer has a cold this week.]
Here are some examples where "catch" works but "have" doesn't.
- Try not to catch a cold. [
Try not to have a cold.] - My daughter caught a cold from her classmates. [
My daughter had a cold from her classmates.]
👋 That’s It For Now
If any of your students happen to be feeling under the weather in the coming months, we can at least make the most of it by explaining these useful expressions for sickness.
Students who are interested in learning more health-related phrases can check out our Health & Lifestyle materials.
Finally, you might also want to bring up some interesting facts during your lesson to spark discussion. Here are some options from Daily News:
