Staying healthy is important for feeling strong and happy. People often use fun sayings, called idioms, to talk about health. These idioms are not always easy to understand just by looking at the words. That’s why learning them can help you speak and understand English better.
In this article, you will learn idioms that talk about good health. Each idiom will come with its meaning and examples. There will also be a short quiz to help you check what you’ve learned. Let’s explore some common idioms people use when they talk about feeling well and staying healthy.
Idioms for Good Health
1. Fit as a fiddle
Meaning: Very healthy and strong.
Sample Sentences: Grandpa is still fit as a fiddle even at 80 years old. / After resting, she felt fit as a fiddle.
Other Way to Say: In great shape / Very healthy
2. In the pink
Meaning: In very good health.
Sample Sentences: After the doctor’s checkup, he said I’m in the pink. / She’s been in the pink since she started exercising.
Other Way to Say: Feeling great / Healthy and strong
3. On the mend
Meaning: Getting better after being sick or hurt.
Sample Sentences: My broken arm is on the mend. / After the flu, he was finally on the mend.
Other Way to Say: Healing / Getting well
4. Back on your feet
Meaning: Feeling healthy again after being sick.
Sample Sentences: It took a week, but I’m back on my feet now. / She’s back on her feet after the surgery.
Other Way to Say: Recovered / Feeling well again
5. As healthy as a horse
Meaning: Very strong and healthy.
Sample Sentences: My dog is as healthy as a horse. / After eating well, he became as healthy as a horse.
Other Way to Say: Very fit / In great health
6. Under the weather
Meaning: Feeling a little sick or unwell.
Sample Sentences: I’m feeling under the weather today, so I stayed home. / She was under the weather but still went to school.
Other Way to Say: Feeling sick / Not feeling well
7. Fighting fit
Meaning: Ready and healthy, especially after illness.
Sample Sentences: After the cold, he’s fighting fit again. / The team is fighting fit for the big game.
Other Way to Say: Strong and healthy / Ready to go
8. Sick as a dog
Meaning: Feeling very sick.
Sample Sentences: I was sick as a dog after eating bad food. / He felt sick as a dog with the flu.
Other Way to Say: Very ill / Really sick
9. Healthy as a clam
Meaning: Very healthy and well.
Sample Sentences: She’s healthy as a clam after her checkup. / The kids are healthy as clams after playing outside.
Other Way to Say: Strong and well / In good health
10. Take a turn for the worse
Meaning: Health getting worse suddenly.
Sample Sentences: Grandpa took a turn for the worse last night. / Her cold took a turn for the worse, so she went to the doctor.
Other Way to Say: Got sicker / Health declined
11. In good shape
Meaning: Physically healthy and fit.
Sample Sentences: After months of exercise, she’s in good shape. / The runners were all in good shape before the race.
Other Way to Say: Fit / Healthy
12. Run down
Meaning: Feeling tired and weak, not healthy.
Sample Sentences: I felt run down after staying up late. / He’s been run down because of too much work.
Other Way to Say: Tired / Worn out
13. Clean bill of health
Meaning: Doctor says you are healthy.
Sample Sentences: The doctor gave me a clean bill of health. / After tests, she got a clean bill of health.
Other Way to Say: Healthy report / Good health news
14. As right as rain
Meaning: Feeling perfectly healthy.
Sample Sentences: I was sick yesterday, but today I’m as right as rain. / He feels as right as rain after the medicine.
Other Way to Say: Perfectly well / Feeling great
15. On the road to recovery
Meaning: Getting better after being sick.
Sample Sentences: After the surgery, she’s on the road to recovery. / He’s on the road to recovery from the flu.
Other Way to Say: Healing / Getting better
16. Back in action
Meaning: Healthy and able to do things again.
Sample Sentences: I was sick last week, but now I’m back in action. / The player is back in action after the injury.
Other Way to Say: Ready again / Active again
17. Out of sorts
Meaning: Feeling a little sick or not well.
Sample Sentences: I was out of sorts this morning. / She felt out of sorts after eating too much candy.
Other Way to Say: Not feeling good / A little sick
18. Going strong
Meaning: Staying healthy and active.
Sample Sentences: My grandma is 90 and still going strong. / The dog is going strong despite its age.
Other Way to Say: Healthy and active / Doing well
19. In tip-top shape
Meaning: Very healthy and fit.
Sample Sentences: The athletes are in tip-top shape for the game. / I want to get in tip-top shape this summer.
Other Way to Say: In great shape / Very fit
20. As fresh as a daisy
Meaning: Feeling fresh and healthy.
Sample Sentences: After a good night’s sleep, I feel as fresh as a daisy. / She came to school as fresh as a daisy.
Other Way to Say: Refreshed / Well rested
21. On top of the world
Meaning: Feeling very happy and healthy.
Sample Sentences: After winning the game, he felt on top of the world. / I’m on top of the world after getting good news.
Other Way to Say: Feeling great / Very happy and healthy
22. A picture of health
Meaning: Looks very healthy.
Sample Sentences: She is a picture of health after the summer vacation. / The baby is a picture of health.
Other Way to Say: Very healthy / Looks well
23. Feel like a million dollars
Meaning: Feel very healthy and good.
Sample Sentences: After the rest, I feel like a million dollars. / He felt like a million dollars after the checkup.
Other Way to Say: Feel great / Feeling wonderful
24. Kick the habit
Meaning: Stop doing something unhealthy.
Sample Sentences: He finally kicked the habit of eating too much candy. / I want to kick the habit of staying up late.
Other Way to Say: Stop a bad habit / Quit something unhealthy
25. On the sick list
Meaning: Being sick or unwell.
Sample Sentences: She’s been on the sick list this week. / He’s on the sick list and can’t come to school.
Other Way to Say: Sick / Not feeling well
26. Back to normal
Meaning: Feeling healthy and well again.
Sample Sentences: After the flu, I’m back to normal. / The team is back to normal after practice.
Other Way to Say: Healthy again / Feeling well
27. In poor shape
Meaning: Not healthy or fit.
Sample Sentences: After the illness, he was in poor shape. / The old dog was in poor shape.
Other Way to Say: Not healthy / Weak
28. Give it your best shot
Meaning: Try your hardest, especially with health or exercise.
Sample Sentences: Give it your best shot at the game. / I gave it my best shot at running today.
Other Way to Say: Try hard / Do your best
29. Out of breath
Meaning: Breathing hard after exercise or sickness.
Sample Sentences: After running, I was out of breath. / He was out of breath climbing the stairs.
Other Way to Say: Breathing fast / Winded
30. Keep your chin up
Meaning: Stay positive when feeling unwell.
Sample Sentences: Keep your chin up; you’ll feel better soon. / She told me to keep my chin up during recovery.
Other Way to Say: Stay positive / Don’t give up
31. Over the worst
Meaning: Past the hardest part of being sick.
Sample Sentences: I’m over the worst of my cold. / He’s over the worst after surgery.
Other Way to Say: Getting better / Past the hardest part
32. Out cold
Meaning: Unconscious or deeply asleep.
Sample Sentences: He was out cold after hitting his head. / I was out cold after the long day.
Other Way to Say: Unconscious / Fast asleep
33. Run a fever
Meaning: Have a higher body temperature because of sickness.
Sample Sentences: I ran a fever all night. / She’s running a fever and should rest.
Other Way to Say: Have a fever / Feeling hot
34. Under doctor’s care
Meaning: Being treated by a doctor.
Sample Sentences: He’s under doctor’s care for his broken leg. / She stayed home under doctor’s care.
Other Way to Say: Seeing a doctor / Getting medical help
35. Feel lousy
Meaning: Feel sick or bad.
Sample Sentences: I felt lousy after eating too much junk food. / He’s feeling lousy today.
Other Way to Say: Feel sick / Not good
36. Pull through
Meaning: Recover from a serious illness.
Sample Sentences: The patient pulled through after the surgery. / She pulled through the flu quickly.
Other Way to Say: Recover / Get better
37. Sick to your stomach
Meaning: Feel like vomiting or very upset.
Sample Sentences: I felt sick to my stomach after the roller coaster. / She was sick to her stomach before the test.
Other Way to Say: Nauseous / Upset stomach
38. Take it easy
Meaning: Rest and not do hard work to feel better.
Sample Sentences: Take it easy if you’re feeling tired. / The doctor said to take it easy for a few days.
Other Way to Say: Rest / Slow down
39. Feel weak in the knees
Meaning: Feel shaky or weak, often from illness or strong feelings.
Sample Sentences: I felt weak in the knees after standing too long. / She was weak in the knees after the fever.
Other Way to Say: Shaky / Weak
40. Under the knife
Meaning: Having surgery.
Sample Sentences: He was under the knife last week. / She went under the knife to fix her leg.
Other Way to Say: Had surgery / Operation
41. Out like a light
Meaning: Fell asleep quickly or unconscious.
Sample Sentences: After the medicine, I was out like a light. / He was out like a light after the hit.
Other Way to Say: Fast asleep / Unconscious
42. On your last legs
Meaning: Very tired or near the end of strength.
Sample Sentences: I was on my last legs after running the marathon. / She felt on her last legs after the long day.
Other Way to Say: Very tired / Almost done
43. Back in the game
Meaning: Healthy and able to join activities again.
Sample Sentences: After the cold, I’m back in the game. / The player was back in the game after resting.
Other Way to Say: Ready again / Active again
44. Catch your breath
Meaning: Rest to breathe normally after hard work.
Sample Sentences: I stopped to catch my breath after running. / She needed to catch her breath after climbing stairs.
Other Way to Say: Rest / Breathe slowly
45. Feel like death warmed over
Meaning: Feel very sick and tired.
Sample Sentences: I felt like death warmed over after the flu. / He looked like death warmed over yesterday.
Other Way to Say: Very sick / Exhausted
46. Take your medicine
Meaning: Do what’s needed to get better, even if it’s hard.
Sample Sentences: You need to take your medicine to feel better. / He didn’t want to take his medicine but did it anyway.
Other Way to Say: Follow doctor’s advice / Get treatment
47. Throw up
Meaning: To vomit.
Sample Sentences: I had to throw up after eating bad food. / She threw up because of the stomach bug.
Other Way to Say: Vomit / Be sick
48. Feel fit as a fiddle
Meaning: Feel very healthy and strong.
Sample Sentences: After rest, I feel fit as a fiddle. / She’s fit as a fiddle after the checkup.
Other Way to Say: In good health / Very healthy
49. Break out in a sweat
Meaning: Suddenly start sweating, usually when nervous or sick.
Sample Sentences: I broke out in a sweat before the test. / He broke out in a sweat after running.
Other Way to Say: Sweat a lot / Get sweaty
50. Have a clean bill of health
Meaning: Being told by a doctor that you are healthy.
Sample Sentences: The doctor gave me a clean bill of health. / After tests, she got a clean bill of health.
Other Way to Say: Healthy report / Passed the health check
51. Come down with
Meaning: Start to get sick.
Sample Sentences: I think I’m coming down with a cold. / She came down with the flu last week.
Other Way to Say: Get sick / Catch an illness
52. In a bad way
Meaning: Very sick or in poor health.
Sample Sentences: After the accident, he was in a bad way. / She’s in a bad way after the illness.
Other Way to Say: Very sick / Not well
53. Feel run down
Meaning: Feel tired and unhealthy.
Sample Sentences: I felt run down after working all day. / He’s been feeling run down lately.
Other Way to Say: Tired / Not healthy
54. Have a clean slate
Meaning: Start fresh with good health or habits.
Sample Sentences: After quitting smoking, he has a clean slate. / I want a clean slate for my health this year.
Other Way to Say: Fresh start / New beginning
55. Keep your health in check
Meaning: Watch and take care of your health regularly.
Sample Sentences: It’s important to keep your health in check. / She visits the doctor to keep her health in check.
Other Way to Say: Monitor health / Take care of health
Multiple Choice Question: Idioms for Good Health
1. What does “fit as a fiddle” mean?
A. Playing music well
B. Very healthy and strong
C. Feeling bored
2. If someone is “on the mend,” what are they doing?
A. Getting better after being sick
B. Breaking something
C. Starting a new hobby
3. “Back on your feet” means you are:
A. Lying down to rest
B. Standing on a chair
C. Feeling better and active again
4. If someone is “fresh as a daisy,” how do they feel?
A. Tired and sleepy
B. Rested and ready
C. Mad and angry
5. When a person is “full of beans,” they are:
A. Full from eating
B. Full of energy
C. Mad at someone
6. “Clean bill of health” means:
A. You cleaned your house
B. The doctor says you are healthy
C. You paid your bills on time
7. If your grandma is “alive and kicking,” what does that mean?
A. She’s tired all day
B. She’s healthy and active
C. She’s sleeping
8. What does it mean to be in “tip-top shape”?
A. Wearing a new outfit
B. Feeling sad
C. In great health or condition
9. “Like a new person” means you feel:
A. Better and fresh
B. Confused
C. Like you forgot something
10. “Keep in shape” means:
A. Drawing shapes
B. Staying healthy with exercise
C. Making cookies
11. If someone is in “the pink of health,” they are:
A. Wearing pink clothes
B. Very healthy
C. Blushing
12. “Strong as an ox” means someone is:
A. Very strong
B. Very slow
C. Very quiet
Answer Key
- B. Very healthy and strong
- A. Getting better after being sick
- C. Feeling better and active again
- B. Rested and ready
- B. Full of energy
- B. The doctor says you are healthy.
- B. She’s healthy and active
- C. In great health or condition
- A. Better and fresh
- B. Staying healthy with exercise
- B. Very healthy
- A. Very strong
Scoring Guide
- 12 Correct Answers: Love Idiom Master! You really know your health idioms!
- 8–11 Correct Answers: Well on your way to understanding love idioms. Keep practicing!
- 4–7 Correct Answers: Room for improvement, but you’re getting there! Try reviewing a few.
- 0–3 Correct Answers: Let’s explore the world of love idioms together. Don’t worry learning takes time!
Conclusion
Learning idioms about good health helps us speak and write in more fun and clear ways. These phrases are often used in everyday life, and now you know what they really mean.
When you hear someone say they are “back on their feet” or “fit as a fiddle,” you’ll understand that they feel strong and well. Try using some of these idioms when you talk or write. It can make your words more interesting and easier for others to connect with.
