Hello everyone, and welcome back to You English Update, a podcast by EZOnlineEnglish.
If you haven’t noticed, we’ve had a little theme going on for the past two episodes. This week, we are continuing the theme with a lesson about six idioms related to health! We will also be providing example scenarios (like we always do with idioms) so you can better understand how to use them in conversation. Ready to get started? Okay, let’s go!
Unfortunately, it runs in the family.
很不幸，它是家族遗传的。
To say, “it runs in the family,” means that it is hereditary. ”It,” can refer to both an illness or a trait in this expression. If something runs in the family, then it means that some or all your siblings, parents, or grandparents have the same issues.
I am sorry to hear about your diagnosis!
Yeah, unfortunately it runs in the family.
She’s at death’s door.
她已经奄奄一息了。
“To be a death’s door,” means that you are about to die. It is probably similar in your culture, but sometimes English-speakers think of death as a portal to an afterlife which is why door is used in this expression. If you are at death’s door, you are expected to die very soon, probably within a few days.
Is your grandmother doing better?
No, I am afraid she is at death’s door.
I feel like I am coming down with something.
我觉得我得了什么病。
To come down with something, means that you are in the beginning stages of being sick. You aren’t sure what it is yet, but you know you are sick. You may feel some light symptoms like a headache or runny nose that signal a cold or some other sickness is coming.
I feel like I am coming down with something.
Oh! I hope it’s not COVID!
I am feeling a little under the weather.
我感觉有点不舒服。
“To feel under the weather,” means that you are feeling a little sick. Your illness is nothing severe, but it doesn’t mean you are feeling one-hundred percent and healthy either.
How was your vacation so far?
Not good! I am feeling a little under the weather.
He’s as healthy as a horse!
他十分健康。
So, I’m not sure why, but us English-speakers do have a lot of idioms about horses. This is one of them! If you are, “as healthy as a horse,” it means you are in an excellent and healthy condition. Similarly, you could say, “as strong as a horse,” to describe someone that is very strong and fit.
How did your doctor’s visit go?
Great! She said I was healthy as a horse.
I’ll be back on my feet in no time.
我很快就会恢复的。
This idiom means you will soon be healthy again. “To be back on your feet,” means you will be up and walking around again like nothing is wrong.
How was the surgery?
It went well! I’ll be back on my feet in no time.
It’s time to review! Let’s go over all of these idioms again to make sure that you know them.
Unfortunately, it runs in the family.
很不幸，它是家族遗传的。
She’s at death’s door.
她已经奄奄一息了。
I feel like I am coming down with something.
我觉得我得了什么病。
I am feeling a little under the weather.
我感觉有点不舒服。
He’s as healthy as a horse!
他十分健康。
I’ll be back on my feet in no time.
我很快就会恢复的。
Thank you everyone for listening to another lesson here on Your English Update, a podcast by EZOnlineEnglish. We are coming to a close here on season two! We will be providing a review and recap episode for you shortly, so stay tuned! Also if you ever need any help studying, please visit us at We will see you soon! Goodbye!
