ENGLISH HEALTH IDIOMS

1. Cold hands, warm heart.As someone who almost always has cold hands, I naturally thought that this English proverb was a nice one. It means that ❛people whose hands are usually cold have kind and loving personalities❜. Since people who are ill often have cold hands too, it makes a nice addition to this idiom list.Example: Oh, Louise, your hands are cold. You know what they say, don’t you? Cold hands, warm heart.

2. hoarse voiceWhen your ❛throat is sore and you cannot speak well due to illness❜, you have a hoarse voice. Hoarseness is a common symptom of a cold or flu, but can also be a warning sign for other conditions.
Example: I could hardly understand Luigi on the phone. He had a hoarse voice.

3. splitting headacheA splitting headache is ❛an extremely bad or severe headache❜.
Example: Could you please be quiet? I have a splitting headache.

4. to be coming down with somethingWhen someone ❛starts a cold or flu❜, he is coming down with it. What can you do when you feel that you are coming down with a cold or flu? Try drinking a hot drink.Example: I’m sorry. I can’t come to this month’s English Grammar Club meeting, because I fear that I am coming down with a cold.

5. to be fit as a horse / to be fit as a fiddleThe English idioms to be as fit as a horse or to be as fit as a fiddle are expressions that you can use to say that someone is ❛very healthy❜.Example: I am not sick. In fact, I am as fit as a fiddle!

6. to be knocked outWhen you are ❛extremely tired and/or unable to do anything❜, you are knocked out.Example: I expected that I could return to work after a week, but this flu has really knocked me out.

7. to have a frog in one’s throatWhen your voice is ❛hoarse and/or dry and you have difficulty speaking❜, you have a frog in your throat.
Example: Fred wanted to say something, but could not. He had a frog in his throat.

8. to have / get chillsWhen you have chills, you ❛are shaking and feel cold❜.
Example: What symptoms does he have? He has a fever and chills.