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How to Use the Idiom “- Under the Weather” in IELTS

Feeling Under the Weather

Feeling Under the Weather

When preparing for the IELTS exam, understanding idiomatic expressions can significantly enhance your speaking and writing skills. One such idiom is “under the weather“, which is commonly used in English. This article aims to dissect its meaning, usage, and relevance in the IELTS exam, along with related idioms and vocabulary.

Understanding “- Under the Weather”

The idiom “- under the weather” means “feeling ill or unwell.” It’s often used informally to describe a state of minor sickness, like having a cold or feeling generally fatigued.

Examples:

  1. She called in sick today because she was feeling under the weather.
  2. After the long flight, he felt under the weather.
  3. I’m sorry I missed your party; I was under the weather.

Related Vocabulary

Feeling Under the Weather

Frequency in IELTS Exam

Idiomatic expressions, including “- under the weather”, can appear in various parts of the IELTS exam, particularly in the Speaking and Writing sections. Using such idiomatic language correctly can showcase a candidate’s proficiency and improve their score.

Speaking Section

In the IELTS Speaking section, candidates might be asked to describe a time when they were ill or not feeling well. Here, idioms like “- under the weather” can be highly effective.

Example Question: Describe a time when you were not feeling well.

Sample Answer:
“Last month, I felt under the weather due to a severe cold. I had a sore throat, and my body ached all over. Despite feeling under the weather, I continued with my daily routine but took extra care to rest and hydrate.”

Writing Section

In the IELTS Writing section, this idiom might be useful in Task 1 when writing informal letters or in Task 2 while discussing health-related topics.

Example Task 1 Prompt: Write a letter to a friend apologizing for missing their birthday party because you were not feeling well.

Sample Writing:
“Dear Tom,
I’m truly sorry for missing your birthday party last week. Unfortunately, I was feeling under the weather and thought it best to stay in bed. I hope you had a wonderful time, and I promise to make it up to you soon.
Best regards, Jane”

Examples and Their Analysis

Let’s analyze how to incorporate “- under the weather” in various contexts, especially focusing on IELTS tasks.

Example Sentences

  1. Informal Conversation:

    • “I won’t be coming to work today; I’m feeling under the weather.”
  2. Storytelling:

    • “My vacation was ruined because I felt under the weather for the entire week.”
  3. Writing (Informal Letter):

    • “Dear Aunt, I’m sorry for not visiting last weekend. I was feeling under the weather and didn’t want to infect anyone.”
  4. Expressing Sympathy:

    • “You look under the weather. Do you need help with your tasks?”

Idiomatic Expressions and Collocations

Understanding common idiomatic expressions and collocations is essential to mastering English.

Conclusion

Understanding and effectively using idiomatic expressions like “- under the weather” can significantly boost your IELTS performance, especially in Speaking and Writing. By incorporating such phrases into your study routine, you can add naturalness and fluency to your language skills.

Practice using these idioms in various contexts, and you’ll be well-prepared for the IELTS exam. Remember, regular usage and practice are key to mastering these expressions.

For more detailed strategies and examples, check out these related articles:

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