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Our health is something we all care about, and the English language has a wealth of colourful idioms to describe it! For those unaware, idioms are fun phrases that have meanings beyond their literal words. They convey a specific meaning beyond the literal interpretation of their words and can be used in daily life communication. Keep reading this blog post for some of the commonly used idioms for health that will add expressive flair to your language when discussing health and well-being.
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Idioms on Health That Students Should Know About
In a world where everyone is constantly busy on their smartphones or laptops, one needs to make sure they spend some time on their health, too. Let it be devoting some hours to exercise or taking in some fresh air. We have compiled some idioms on health, along with their meanings and examples on how to use them in sentences.
Fit as a Fiddle
Meaning: Fit as a fiddle idiom means being in excellent physical condition; very healthy and strong.
Example: After regular exercise and a balanced diet, John felt as fit as a fiddle and was able to run a marathon without any trouble.
In the Pink of Health
Meaning: To be in a very good state of health or perfect condition.
Example: Despite her age, Grandma Margaret remains in the pink of health and rarely falls sick.
Also Read: Idioms for Surprise
An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away
Meaning: The idiom illustrates that eating nutritious food and maintaining a healthy lifestyle can help prevent illnesses.
Example: Sarah follows a balanced diet, including fruits and vegetables daily, firmly believing that an apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Bursting with Energy
Meaning: To have a surplus of energy and enthusiasm.
Example: After a good night’s sleep and a hearty breakfast, the children were bursting with energy, ready to play all day.
As Right as Rain
To feel completely well and healthy.
Example: Even though she was ill yesterday, Sally took some medicine and now feels as right as rain.
On the Mend
Meaning: To be recovering from an illness or injury.
Example: After a week of bed rest and medication, Tom is on the mend and should be back to work soon.
Hit the Scales
Meaning: To weigh oneself, often implying concern about one’s weight.
Example: After indulging in holiday treats, she reluctantly hit the scales to see how much weight she’d gained.
In the Best of Health
Meaning: To be in an optimal state of physical and mental well-being.
Example: The athlete followed a strict training regimen and a balanced diet, ensuring he remained in the best of health throughout the competition.
Hit the Gym
Meaning: To go to the gym to exercise or work out.
Example: After realising how out of shape he was, John decided it was time to hit the gym and start a fitness routine.
A Clean Bill of Health
Meaning: A statement from a doctor or medical professional that a person is in good health with no medical issues.
Example: After his routine check-up, the doctor gave him a clean bill of health.
In Tip-Top Shape
Meaning: Being in excellent physical or mental condition.
Example: After months of training, he’s finally in tip-top shape for the marathon.
A Picture of Health
Meaning: In excellent health or very fit.
Example: After months of healthy eating and exercise, she looks like a picture of health.
A New Lease of Life
Meaning: A renewed sense of energy or vitality, often after overcoming an illness or hardship.
Example: After recovering from surgery, he has a new lease of life and feels more energised than ever.
Just What the Doctor Ordered
Meaning: Exactly what is needed or required for someone’s health or well-being.
Example: A weekend getaway was just what the doctor ordered after the stressful work week.
Also Read: English Idioms for Travelling
Idioms about Being Unhealthy
After learning about the idioms of Health, here are 10 idioms describing people who lead unhealthy lifestyles, along with their meanings and examples:
Burning the candle at both ends
Meaning: Overworking or staying up late and waking up early, leading to exhaustion and an unhealthy life.
Example: If you keep burning the candle at both ends, you’ll end up getting sick.
Living on Borrowed Time
Meaning: Living in a way that suggests they’re risking their health or life.
Example: With his heavy smoking habit, he’s living on borrowed time.
Digging Your Own Grave
Meaning: Engaging in behaviour that will likely lead to one’s downfall, especially health-wise.
Example: By eating junk food every day, you’re digging your own grave.
A Glutton for Punishment
Meaning: Someone who repeatedly chooses actions that harm them, often related to overindulgence.
Example: He knows those late-night parties ruin his sleep, but he’s a glutton for punishment.
Killing Yourself Slowly
Meaning: Engaging in harmful habits that deteriorate one’s health over time.
Example: With all that fast food and no exercise, you’re killing yourself slowly.
Chasing a High
Meaning: Constantly seeking pleasure or excitement at the expense of long-term health.
Example: His lifestyle of partying and drinking every weekend is just him chasing a high.
Living on the Edge
Meaning: Leading a risky, often unhealthy lifestyle.
Example: He loves junk food, barely sleeps, and doesn’t exercise—he’s living on the edge.
Throw Caution to the Wind
Meaning: Ignoring the risks and doing something unhealthy or dangerous.
Example: She threw caution to the wind by eating greasy food every day, despite her heart problems.
Couch Potato
Meaning: A person who leads a sedentary lifestyle, spending a lot of time sitting or lying on a couch, typically watching TV or being inactive.
Example: Ever since he got that new gaming console, he’s turned into a real couch potato, barely leaving the living room.
Out of Shape
Meaning: Not physically fit, often due to a lack of exercise or an unhealthy lifestyle.
Example: After months of skipping the gym, I’ve really gotten out of shape and can barely run a mile now.
FAQs
One good idiom for health includes: “In very good health.” This idiom refers to ‘a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.’
One suitable idiom for ‘healthy again’ is ‘alive and kicking’, which implies that one is alive and is in a healthy condition.
Idioms for ‘good’ are ‘As good as gold,’ ‘As good as it gets,’ ‘As good as new’, and many others.
Some of the idioms for being unhealthy are:
Under the weather
Out of sorts
Feel like death warmed up
Knock someone for six
Sick as a dog
Here are 5 idioms related to health and fitness:
Healthy as a horse
Fit as a fiddle
In good shape
A spring in your step
Off the wagon
Explore more exciting reads below:
We hope this blog has provided all the necessary information on ‘Idioms for health.’ To advance your grammar knowledge and read more informative blogs, check out our Learn English page, and don’t forget to follow Leverage Edu.
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