{"id":7919,"date":"2026-08-01T09:07:40","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T09:07:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/18kenglish.com\/health-idioms-english-10-expressions-you-need-to-know\/"},"modified":"2026-08-01T09:07:40","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T09:07:40","slug":"health-idioms-english-10-expressions-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/18kenglish.com\/zh\/health-idioms-english-10-expressions-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"\u5065\u5eb7\u82f1\u6587\u6163\u7528\u8a9e | 10 Health Idioms Every ESL Learner Should Know"},"content":{"rendered":"
\nQuick Answer:<\/strong> Health idioms are fixed English expressions whose meaning cannot be guessed from the individual words \u2014 “under the weather” means feeling unwell, not literally standing beneath bad weather. Native speakers use these phrases constantly in everyday conversation, at clinics, and in the workplace. Knowing the 10 most common ones will make your English sound natural and confident.\n<\/div>\n

\u82f1\u8a9e\u4e2d\u7684\u5065\u5eb7\u6163\u7528\u8a9e\u662f\u65e5\u5e38\u5c0d\u8a71\u4e2d\u4e0d\u53ef\u7f3a\u5c11\u7684\u4e00\u90e8\u5206\u3002Health idioms appear everywhere \u2014 at the office, in TV dramas, in casual conversation with foreign colleagues. For ESL learners in Taiwan, these expressions are especially worth mastering: they close the gap between textbook English and the way native speakers actually talk. This guide covers the 10 most essential health idioms in English<\/strong>, each with a Chinese translation, historical origin, and real-world example sentences you can use today.<\/p>\n

\u638c\u63e1\u9019\u4e9b\u8868\u9054\u65b9\u5f0f\u4e0d\u50c5\u80fd\u63d0\u5347\u4f60\u7684\u82f1\u8a9e\u6d41\u5229\u5ea6\uff0c\u4e5f\u80fd\u8b93\u4f60\u66f4\u81ea\u7136\u5730\u7406\u89e3\u82f1\u8a9e\u6bcd\u8a9e\u8005\u7684\u65e5\u5e38\u5c0d\u8a71\u3002These 10 expressions appear in movies, workplaces, doctor visits, and social situations. Once you know them, you will spot them everywhere.<\/p>\n

\"health<\/p>

Learning health idioms helps you discuss wellness naturally in English<\/figcaption>

1. Under the Weather [\u8eab\u9ad4\u4e0d\u8212\u670d]<\/h2>\n

Meaning \u610f\u601d\uff1a<\/strong> Feeling slightly ill or unwell \u2014 not sick enough to be in bed, but not feeling great either. \u611f\u89ba\u6709\u9ede\u4e0d\u8212\u670d\u6216\u8eab\u9ad4\u5fae\u6059\uff0c\u6c92\u56b4\u91cd\u5230\u81e5\u5e8a\uff0c\u4f46\u72c0\u614b\u4e5f\u4e0d\u597d\u3002<\/p>\n

Origin \u8d77\u6e90\uff1a<\/strong> This phrase came from 19th-century sailing. When sailors felt seasick, they would go below deck \u2014 literally below the weather on the ship’s deck. The expression entered everyday English as a way to describe any mild illness.<\/p>\n

📝 Example 1:<\/em> “I’m feeling a bit under the weather today \u2014 I think I’ll skip the gym and rest instead.”\uff08\u6211\u4eca\u5929\u611f\u89ba\u6709\u9ede\u4e0d\u8212\u670d\uff0c\u6211\u60f3\u6211\u6703\u8df3\u904e\u5065\u8eab\u623f\uff0c\u6539\u70ba\u4f11\u606f\u3002\uff09<\/p>\n

📝 Example 2:<\/em> Her manager noticed she was sneezing all morning and asked, “Are you under the weather? Maybe you should work from home.”\uff08\u5979\u7684\u4e3b\u7ba1\u6ce8\u610f\u5230\u5979\u6574\u500b\u4e0a\u5348\u90fd\u5728\u6253\u5674\u568f\uff0c\u554f\u9053\uff1a\u300c\u4f60\u8eab\u9ad4\u4e0d\u8212\u670d\u55ce\uff1f\u4e5f\u8a31\u4f60\u61c9\u8a72\u5728\u5bb6\u5de5\u4f5c\u3002\u300d\uff09<\/p>\n

2. On the Mend [\u5eb7\u5fa9\u4e2d]<\/h2>\n

\"on<\/p>

Recovering well after an illness \u2014 that is what ‘on the mend’ describes<\/figcaption>

Meaning \u610f\u601d\uff1a<\/strong> Getting better after an illness or injury \u2014 in the process of recovering. \u5728\u751f\u75c5\u6216\u53d7\u50b7\u5f8c\u6b63\u5728\u5eb7\u5fa9\u4e2d\uff0c\u8eab\u9ad4\u72c0\u6cc1\u9010\u6f38\u597d\u8f49\u3002<\/p>\n

Origin \u8d77\u6e90\uff1a<\/strong> The word “mend” originally meant to repair or restore. By the 18th century, people were using “on the mend” to describe a person healing, just as a broken object is mended. It remains one of the most natural ways to describe recovery in British and American English.<\/p>\n

📝 Example 1:<\/em> “Good news \u2014 my grandfather had surgery last week but he is definitely on the mend now.”\uff08\u597d\u6d88\u606f\u2014\u2014\u6211\u7956\u7236\u4e0a\u9031\u52d5\u4e86\u624b\u8853\uff0c\u4f46\u4ed6\u73fe\u5728\u78ba\u5be6\u5728\u5eb7\u5fa9\u4e2d\u3002\uff09<\/p>\n

📝 Example 2:<\/em> After three days of fever and rest, she finally felt on the mend and managed to eat a full meal.\uff08\u767c\u71d2\u4e09\u5929\u4f11\u606f\u5f8c\uff0c\u5979\u7d42\u65bc\u611f\u89ba\u5728\u5eb7\u5fa9\u4e2d\uff0c\u4e26\u8a2d\u6cd5\u5403\u4e86\u4e00\u9813\u5b8c\u6574\u7684\u98ef\u3002\uff09<\/p>\n

3. A Clean Bill of Health [\u8eab\u9ad4\u5065\u5eb7\u7121\u865e]<\/h2>\n

Meaning \u610f\u601d\uff1a<\/strong> An official declaration that a person (or thing) is completely healthy and in good condition. \u5b98\u65b9\u5ba3\u5e03\u67d0\u4eba\uff08\u6216\u67d0\u7269\uff09\u5b8c\u5168\u5065\u5eb7\u3001\u72c0\u614b\u826f\u597d\u3002<\/p>\n

Origin \u8d77\u6e90\uff1a<\/strong> This phrase has a literal origin in maritime history. A “bill of health” was an official document given to ship captains by port authorities confirming that the ship’s crew had no infectious disease. A “clean” bill meant they were disease-free and could dock safely. Today it is used in medical check-ups and even in business to mean “all clear.”<\/p>\n

📝 Example 1:<\/em> “The doctor gave him a clean bill of health after his annual physical \u2014 no problems at all.”\uff08\u91ab\u751f\u5728\u4ed6\u7684\u5e74\u5ea6\u9ad4\u6aa2\u5f8c\u7d66\u4e86\u4ed6\u4e00\u500b\u5065\u5eb7\u826f\u597d\u7684\u8b49\u660e\u2014\u2014\u6c92\u6709\u4efb\u4f55\u554f\u984c\u3002\uff09<\/p>\n

📝 Example 2:<\/em> Before she started the new job, the company required a medical exam. She passed and received a clean bill of health.\uff08\u5728\u5979\u958b\u59cb\u65b0\u5de5\u4f5c\u4e4b\u524d\uff0c\u516c\u53f8\u8981\u6c42\u9032\u884c\u9ad4\u6aa2\u3002\u5979\u901a\u904e\u4e86\u4e26\u7372\u5f97\u4e86\u5065\u5eb7\u826f\u597d\u7684\u8b49\u660e\u3002\uff09<\/p>\n

\"back<\/p>

Back on your feet is one of the most encouraging health idioms in English<\/figcaption>

4. Back on Your Feet [\u6062\u5fa9\u5065\u5eb7]<\/h2>\n

Meaning \u610f\u601d\uff1a<\/strong> Recovered from an illness or difficulty and able to function normally again. \u5f9e\u75be\u75c5\u6216\u56f0\u96e3\u4e2d\u6062\u5fa9\uff0c\u518d\u6b21\u80fd\u5920\u6b63\u5e38\u904b\u4f5c\u3002<\/p>\n

Origin \u8d77\u6e90\uff1a<\/strong> The image here is simple and direct: when you are ill, you might be lying down or sitting. Getting “back on your feet” literally means being upright again \u2014 strong enough to stand and walk. The phrase was recorded in American English as far back as the early 1800s.<\/p>\n

📝 Example 1:<\/em> “It took two weeks of rest, but she was finally back on her feet and ready to return to work.”\uff08\u4f11\u606f\u4e86\u5169\u9031\uff0c\u4f46\u5979\u7d42\u65bc\u6062\u5fa9\u5065\u5eb7\uff0c\u6e96\u5099\u597d\u91cd\u8fd4\u5de5\u4f5c\u5d17\u4f4d\u3002\uff09<\/p>\n

📝 Example 2:<\/em> His teammates visited him in the hospital and said, “We will be waiting for you \u2014 get back on your feet soon.”\uff08\u4ed6\u7684\u968a\u53cb\u5230\u91ab\u9662\u63a2\u671b\u4ed6\uff0c\u8aaa\uff1a\u300c\u6211\u5011\u6703\u7b49\u4f60\u7684\u2014\u2014\u5feb\u9ede\u6062\u5fa9\u5065\u5eb7\u3002\u300d\uff09<\/p>\n

5. Sick as a Dog [\u75c5\u5f97\u5f88\u56b4\u91cd]<\/h2>\n

\"sick<\/p>

When you are sick as a dog, you need serious rest and maybe a visit to the pharmacy<\/figcaption>

Meaning \u610f\u601d\uff1a<\/strong> Extremely ill \u2014 more than just feeling a bit unwell. Used to emphasize how badly you feel. \u975e\u5e38\u56b4\u91cd\u5730\u751f\u75c5\u2014\u2014\u6bd4\u53ea\u662f\u611f\u89ba\u6709\u9ede\u4e0d\u8212\u670d\u8981\u56b4\u91cd\u5f97\u591a\u3002\u7528\u4f86\u5f37\u8abf\u75c5\u60c5\u6709\u591a\u56b4\u91cd\u3002<\/p>\n

Origin \u8d77\u6e90\uff1a<\/strong> The association between dogs and illness goes back to at least the 1700s in English literature. Historically, dogs were associated with scavenging and eating things that made them sick. Jonathan Swift used this phrasing in the early 18th century. Today it simply means being severely unwell, with no connection to animals.<\/p>\n

📝 Example 1:<\/em> “I caught a terrible flu last winter and was sick as a dog for a whole week \u2014 I couldn’t eat or get out of bed.”\uff08\u53bb\u5e74\u51ac\u5929\u6211\u5f97\u4e86\u56b4\u91cd\u7684\u6d41\u611f\uff0c\u6574\u6574\u4e00\u9031\u90fd\u75c5\u5f97\u5f88\u56b4\u91cd\u2014\u2014\u6211\u65e2\u4e0d\u80fd\u5403\u6771\u897f\uff0c\u4e5f\u7121\u6cd5\u8d77\u5e8a\u3002\uff09<\/p>\n

📝 Example 2:<\/em> He texted his teacher: “I won’t be in class today \u2014 I’m sick as a dog. I’ll send the homework by email.”\uff08\u4ed6\u767c\u77ed\u4fe1\u7d66\u8001\u5e2b\uff1a\u300c\u6211\u4eca\u5929\u4e0d\u6703\u4f86\u4e0a\u8ab2\u2014\u2014\u6211\u75c5\u5f97\u5f88\u56b4\u91cd\u3002\u6211\u6703\u901a\u904e\u96fb\u5b50\u90f5\u4ef6\u767c\u9001\u4f5c\u696d\u3002\u300d\uff09<\/p>\n

6. In the Pink (of Health) [\u8eab\u9ad4\u975e\u5e38\u5065\u5eb7]<\/h2>\n

\"in<\/p>

When you’re in the pink of health, you look and feel great \u2014 like a regular gym-goer<\/figcaption>

Meaning \u610f\u601d\uff1a<\/strong> In excellent health; looking and feeling at your very best. \u8eab\u9ad4\u72c0\u6cc1\u975e\u5e38\u597d\uff1b\u770b\u8d77\u4f86\u548c\u611f\u89ba\u90fd\u8655\u65bc\u6700\u4f73\u72c0\u614b\u3002<\/p>\n

Origin \u8d77\u6e90\uff1a<\/strong> “Pink” as a word for excellence dates to the 1590s, when Shakespeare used “the pink of courtesy” to mean the peak of good manners in Romeo and Juliet. The connection to health \u2014 as in the rosy pink color of healthy skin \u2014 came later, and the full phrase “in the pink of health” was established by the 19th century.<\/p>\n

📝 Example 1:<\/em> “My grandmother just turned 80 and she is absolutely in the pink \u2014 she walks three kilometers every morning.”\uff08\u6211\u7956\u6bcd\u525b\u6eff80\u6b72\uff0c\u5979\u7684\u8eab\u9ad4\u975e\u5e38\u5065\u5eb7\u2014\u2014\u5979\u6bcf\u5929\u65e9\u4e0a\u6b65\u884c\u4e09\u516c\u91cc\u3002\uff09<\/p>\n

📝 Example 2:<\/em> The coach told reporters: “Our star player is in the pink of health and ready for the championship game.”\uff08\u6559\u7df4\u544a\u8a34\u8a18\u8005\uff1a\u300c\u6211\u5011\u7684\u660e\u661f\u7403\u54e1\u8eab\u9ad4\u72c0\u6cc1\u975e\u5e38\u597d\uff0c\u6e96\u5099\u597d\u8fce\u63a5\u51a0\u8ecd\u8cfd\u3002\u300d\uff09<\/p>\n

7. Bite the Bullet [\u54ac\u7dca\u7259\u95dc\u5fcd\u8010]<\/h2>\n

Meaning \u610f\u601d\uff1a<\/strong> To endure pain or hardship bravely \u2014 to get through something difficult by accepting it rather than avoiding it. \u52c7\u6562\u5730\u5fcd\u53d7\u75db\u82e6\u6216\u56f0\u96e3\u2014\u2014\u901a\u904e\u63a5\u53d7\u800c\u975e\u9003\u907f\u4f86\u5ea6\u904e\u8271\u96e3\u6642\u523b\u3002<\/p>\n

Origin \u8d77\u6e90\uff1a<\/strong> Before anesthesia was available, surgeons would give patients a bullet to bite on during operations to help them endure the pain. The earliest written record of the phrase appears in Rudyard Kipling’s 1891 novel The Light That Failed. It is used broadly today \u2014 not just in medical situations \u2014 to mean accepting something unpleasant without complaint.<\/p>\n

📝 Example 1:<\/em> “I hate getting injections, but I just bit the bullet and rolled up my sleeve for the flu vaccine.”\uff08\u6211\u8a0e\u53ad\u6253\u91dd\uff0c\u4f46\u6211\u54ac\u7dca\u7259\u95dc\uff0c\u6372\u8d77\u8896\u5b50\u63a5\u7a2e\u6d41\u611f\u75ab\u82d7\u3002\uff09<\/p>\n

📝 Example 2:<\/em> The dentist told him the cavity needed a root canal. He bit the bullet, scheduled the appointment, and got it done.\uff08\u7259\u91ab\u544a\u8a34\u4ed6\u86c0\u7259\u9700\u8981\u6839\u7ba1\u6cbb\u7642\u3002\u4ed6\u54ac\u7dca\u7259\u95dc\uff0c\u9810\u7d04\u4e86\u6642\u9593\uff0c\u4e26\u5b8c\u6210\u4e86\u6cbb\u7642\u3002\uff09<\/p>\n

8. Feel Like Death Warmed Up [\u611f\u89ba\u975e\u5e38\u7cdf\u7cd5]<\/h2>\n

\"health<\/p>

Good food is the foundation of getting back to feeling well after illness<\/figcaption>

Meaning \u610f\u601d\uff1a<\/strong> To feel extremely unwell \u2014 so bad that you look or feel as though you are barely alive. \u611f\u89ba\u6975\u5ea6\u4e0d\u8212\u670d\u2014\u2014\u7cdf\u7cd5\u5230\u770b\u8d77\u4f86\u6216\u611f\u89ba\u5e7e\u4e4e\u7121\u6cd5\u6b63\u5e38\u751f\u6d3b\u7684\u7a0b\u5ea6\u3002<\/p>\n

Origin \u8d77\u6e90\uff1a<\/strong> This dark expression (sometimes “death warmed over” in American English) paints a vivid picture of how terrible a person looks when severely ill. It has been used since at least the mid-20th century in British English and remains one of the more colorful ways to describe genuine suffering from illness.<\/p>\n

📝 Example 1:<\/em> “I think I got food poisoning last night \u2014 I feel like death warmed up and I haven’t left the bathroom all morning.”\uff08\u6211\u60f3\u6628\u665a\u6211\u98df\u7269\u4e2d\u6bd2\u4e86\u2014\u2014\u6211\u611f\u89ba\u975e\u5e38\u7cdf\u7cd5\uff0c\u6574\u500b\u4e0a\u5348\u90fd\u6c92\u6709\u96e2\u958b\u6d74\u5ba4\u3002\uff09<\/p>\n

📝 Example 2:<\/em> When she arrived at the office looking pale and exhausted, her colleague whispered, “You look like death warmed up \u2014 you should go home.”\uff08\u7576\u5979\u9762\u8272\u84bc\u767d\u3001\u7cbe\u75b2\u529b\u7aed\u5730\u51fa\u73fe\u5728\u8fa6\u516c\u5ba4\u6642\uff0c\u5979\u7684\u540c\u4e8b\u4f4e\u8072\u8aaa\uff1a\u300c\u4f60\u770b\u8d77\u4f86\u975e\u5e38\u7cdf\u7cd5\u2014\u2014\u4f60\u61c9\u8a72\u56de\u5bb6\u3002\u300d\uff09<\/p>\n

9. Nurse Someone Back to Health [\u6089\u5fc3\u7167\u6599\u81f3\u5eb7\u5fa9]<\/h2>\n

Meaning \u610f\u601d\uff1a<\/strong> To take care of a sick or injured person over time until they recover fully. \u9577\u6642\u9593\u7167\u6599\u751f\u75c5\u6216\u53d7\u50b7\u7684\u4eba\uff0c\u76f4\u5230\u4ed6\u5011\u5b8c\u5168\u5eb7\u5fa9\u3002<\/p>\n

Origin \u8d77\u6e90\uff1a<\/strong> The verb “to nurse” in the sense of caring for the sick dates to the 16th century in English \u2014 long before “nurse” became a professional title. A nurse was originally anyone who tended to the sick or helpless. The phrase “nurse back to health” emphasizes the ongoing, attentive process of recovery, not just a single act of care.<\/p>\n

📝 Example 1:<\/em> “When her husband had pneumonia last spring, she took a week off work to nurse him back to health.”\uff08\u7576\u5979\u4e08\u592b\u53bb\u5e74\u6625\u5929\u5f97\u4e86\u80ba\u708e\u6642\uff0c\u5979\u8acb\u4e86\u4e00\u9031\u7684\u5047\u4f86\u6089\u5fc3\u7167\u6599\u4ed6\u76f4\u5230\u5eb7\u5fa9\u3002\uff09<\/p>\n

📝 Example 2:<\/em> The rescue center found the injured bird and nursed it back to health over three weeks before releasing it.\uff08\u6551\u63f4\u4e2d\u5fc3\u767c\u73fe\u4e86\u9019\u96bb\u53d7\u50b7\u7684\u9ce5\uff0c\u4e26\u5728\u4e09\u9031\u5167\u6089\u5fc3\u7167\u6599\u5b83\u76f4\u5230\u5eb7\u5fa9\u5f8c\u624d\u653e\u98db\u3002\uff09<\/p>\n

10. An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away [\u4e00\u5929\u4e00\u860b\u679c\uff0c\u91ab\u751f\u4e0d\u4f86\u627e]<\/h2>\n

\"an<\/p>

One of the oldest and most recognized health idioms in the English language<\/figcaption>

Meaning \u610f\u601d\uff1a<\/strong> Eating well (especially fruits and vegetables) keeps you healthy and prevents illness. Often used playfully to suggest that simple healthy habits are the best medicine. \u5403\u5f97\u597d\uff08\u5c24\u5176\u662f\u6c34\u679c\u548c\u852c\u83dc\uff09\u80fd\u8b93\u4f60\u4fdd\u6301\u5065\u5eb7\u4e26\u9810\u9632\u75be\u75c5\u3002\u901a\u5e38\u7528\u4f86\u5e7d\u9ed8\u5730\u5efa\u8b70\u7c21\u55ae\u7684\u5065\u5eb7\u7fd2\u6163\u662f\u6700\u597d\u7684\u85e5\u65b9\u3002<\/p>\n

Origin \u8d77\u6e90\uff1a<\/strong> This is one of the oldest health idioms in English. Its origins trace to a Welsh proverb from 1866: “Eat an apple on going to bed, and you’ll keep the doctor from earning his bread.” The shorter, catchier version became widespread in the early 20th century. Today science supports the basic idea \u2014 regular fruit consumption is linked to lower rates of chronic disease, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.<\/p>\n

📝 Example 1:<\/em> “My mother always packed an apple in my lunchbox, saying an apple a day keeps the doctor away \u2014 and I almost never got sick.”\uff08\u6211\u5abd\u5abd\u7e3d\u662f\u5728\u6211\u7684\u5348\u9910\u76d2\u88e1\u653e\u4e00\u500b\u860b\u679c\uff0c\u8aaa\u4e00\u5929\u4e00\u860b\u679c\u91ab\u751f\u4e0d\u4f86\u627e\u2014\u2014\u800c\u4e14\u6211\u5e7e\u4e4e\u5f9e\u4e0d\u751f\u75c5\u3002\uff09<\/p>\n

📝 Example 2:<\/em> The nutrition teacher wrote it on the board: “An apple a day keeps the doctor away \u2014 but only if you combine it with sleep, exercise, and vegetables.”\uff08\u71df\u990a\u8001\u5e2b\u628a\u5b83\u5beb\u5728\u9ed1\u677f\u4e0a\uff1a\u300c\u4e00\u5929\u4e00\u860b\u679c\u91ab\u751f\u4e0d\u4f86\u627e\u2014\u2014\u4f46\u53ea\u6709\u5728\u52a0\u4e0a\u7761\u7720\u3001\u904b\u52d5\u548c\u852c\u83dc\u7684\u524d\u63d0\u4e0b\u624d\u6709\u6548\u3002\u300d\uff09<\/p>\n

Watch: Health Idioms in Action [\u5f71\u7247\u5b78\u7fd2\u5065\u5eb7\u6163\u7528\u8a9e]<\/h2>\n

\u807d\u82f1\u8a9e\u6bcd\u8a9e\u8005\u793a\u7bc4\u5982\u4f55\u81ea\u7136\u4f7f\u7528\u9019\u4e9b\u5065\u5eb7\u6163\u7528\u8a9e\u3002The video below from English teacher James covers 13 idioms related to illness and health \u2014 a perfect companion to the 10 expressions above.<\/p>\n