English Idioms

Health

Mastering health-related idioms can enhance your ability to discuss well-being and medical topics with greater clarity. Our collection of health idioms includes clear definitions, practical examples, and audio pronunciations to support your learning. Understanding these idioms will help you express health-related concepts more naturally and confidently. By exploring their origins, you'll gain deeper cultural insights and improve your overall comprehension. Practice using these idioms in your conversations to build fluency and confidence in discussing health matters. Start learning health idioms today to refine your English communication skills in medical contexts.

Idiom	Meaning and Examples
A bitter pill to swallow	Meaning: Something difficult or unpleasant to accept. Often refers to situations or facts that are hard to come to terms with. Examples: Losing the championship game after being ahead for most of it was a bitter pill to swallow for the team. Finding out he didn't get the promotion despite his hard work was a bitter pill to swallow for John. When the company announced layoffs, it was a bitter pill to swallow for many dedicated employees. Meaning and Examples of the "A bitter pill to swallow" idiom
Alive and kicking	Meaning: To be in good health or full of energy. It indicates that someone is active, healthy, and doing well. Examples: Despite his advanced age, my grandfather is still alive and kicking, playing tennis every weekend. The startup is alive and kicking, with new innovations rolling out every quarter. After the surgery, she was back to being alive and kicking in no time. Meaning and Examples of the "Alive and kicking" idiom
An apple a day keeps the doctor away	Meaning: Eating nutritious foods, like apples, regularly can contribute to good health and help prevent illnesses, reducing the need to visit the doctor. Examples: Despite his busy schedule, Michael made sure to include a variety of fruits in his diet, believing that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Amelia always packed an apple in her lunchbox, following her grandmother's advice that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. With the flu season approaching, many people started paying more attention to their diets, remembering that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. Meaning and Examples of the "An apple a day keeps the doctor away" idiom
Break a leg	Meaning: People often use this phrase to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance. It’s a way to encourage someone to do their best without directly saying 'good luck,' which some believe brings bad luck. Examples: Before her big debut on Broadway, her friends told her to break a leg. The director, with a smile, said 'Break a leg!' just before the curtain rose. As she went for the job interview, her father encouraged her with a hearty 'Break a leg!' Meaning and Examples of the "Break a leg" idiom
Catch one's breath	Meaning: To take a moment to rest or regain normal breathing, especially after physical exertion or a surprising event. It can also mean taking a short break to recover from a busy schedule or stress. Examples: After sprinting to the bus stop, John had to lean against the pole to catch his breath. The news was so shocking that she had to sit down and catch her breath before she could respond. During the intense debate, he paused for a moment to catch his breath and gather his thoughts. Meaning and Examples of the "Catch one's breath" idiom
Fit as a fiddle	Meaning: Someone who is in excellent physical condition and health. They are full of energy and vitality, ready to take on any challenge. Examples: Despite his age, James is as fit as a fiddle and still runs marathons. After months of rigorous training, Maria is now fit as a fiddle and ready for the competition. Even after the long flight, she looked fit as a fiddle and ready for the conference. Meaning and Examples of the "Fit as a fiddle" idiom
Hang by a thread	Meaning: To be in a very precarious or dangerous position where the outcome is uncertain. It suggests that something could easily go wrong or fall apart at any moment. Examples: The company's future is hanging by a thread after the loss of its biggest client. After the scandal, the politician's career was hanging by a thread. The delicate peace agreement between the two nations is hanging by a thread. Meaning and Examples of the "Hang by a thread" idiom
In bad shape	Meaning: When someone or something is not in good condition, often due to neglect, wear, or damage. It can refer to physical health, emotional well-being, or the state of an object. Examples: After years of neglect, the old mansion was in bad shape and required extensive renovations. Following his illness, Jack was in bad shape and needed several weeks to recover fully. The company's finances were in bad shape after a series of poor business decisions. Meaning and Examples of the "In bad shape" idiom
Just what the doctor ordered	Meaning: This phrase is used when something or someone provides exactly what is needed or desired in a situation. It's often used to express satisfaction with a perfect solution or remedy. Examples: After a long week of work, a weekend at the spa was just what the doctor ordered. The team's unexpected victory was just what the doctor ordered to boost their morale. With deadlines looming, a quiet day at the office was just what the doctor ordered. Meaning and Examples of the "Just what the doctor ordered" idiom
Kick the bucket	Meaning: This phrase is a casual or humorous way to say someone has died. It often lightens the mood around the topic of death, making it less somber. Examples: After living a full and adventurous life, Grandpa finally kicked the bucket at the age of 99. The novel ends with a twist as the main character unexpectedly kicks the bucket. She joked that if she ever kicked the bucket, she wanted a huge party instead of a somber funeral. Meaning and Examples of the "Kick the bucket" idiom
On the mend	Meaning: To be recovering from an illness, injury, or difficult situation. It implies that progress is being made toward better health or improvement. Examples: After a month in the hospital, she's finally on the mend and will be back to work soon. The company was on the mend after the financial crisis, thanks to new management strategies. Following his surgery, he spent several weeks on the mend before he could resume his daily activities. Meaning and Examples of the "On the mend" idiom
Out of the woods	Meaning: This phrase is used to describe a situation where someone has moved past a difficult or dangerous phase, though challenges may still remain. It signifies an improvement or a point where the worst is over. Examples: After weeks of uncertainty, the company is finally out of the woods and showing signs of recovery. Though his surgery was successful, he's still not out of the woods regarding his overall health. The worst of the storm has passed, but we're not completely out of the woods yet. Meaning and Examples of the "Out of the woods" idiom
Run out of steam	Meaning: To lose energy, enthusiasm, or momentum while doing something, often leading to a decrease in productivity or motivation. It can happen when you're working on a long project or task and suddenly feel exhausted or less interested. Examples: After working for twelve hours straight, Sarah finally ran out of steam and decided to call it a day. The project started off with a lot of enthusiasm, but the team ran out of steam halfway through. He was passionate about his new hobby, but after a few weeks, he ran out of steam and moved on to something else. Meaning and Examples of the "Run out of steam" idiom
Under the weather	Meaning: Feeling unwell or sick, often due to a minor illness like a cold or flu. It can also refer to feeling out of sorts or generally not in top form. Examples: After working late all week, Maria felt under the weather and decided to take a sick day. John didn't attend the meeting because he was feeling under the weather. Despite being under the weather, Sarah made an effort to attend her best friend's wedding. Meaning and Examples of the "Under the weather" idiom