10 idiomatic French expressions about your health

Winter and spring can become synonymous with illness, particularly during cold spells or persistent rainy conditions.

Whether you feel a cold coming on or you are finally getting back on your feet, there is no shortage of expressions in French you can use to sound like a native speaker (even if you say them with a blocked nose).

Below are some expressions you can use to describe your symptoms or recovery. 

Ne pas être dans son assiette - under the weather 

The French version of this famous English expression is slightly different. 

We may think that assiette means plate in this expression – making it slightly confusing – but in the past before this meaning was established, assiette referred to the way someone was sitting, originating from the verb s’asseoir. 

As a result ne pas être dans son assiette means to not be in their natural or comfortable position, which is used to describe how someone is feeling mentally or physically. 

As for the English equivalent, it is not used for when someone is extremely unwell, just a little poorly.

Choper - to catch 

Choper is used frequently to describe catching some sort of illness, be it la grippe (the flu), un rhume (a cold), or some other sickness.

It is informal, so you are much more likely to hear it in spoken French rather than see it written in more formal articles or texts. 

Read more: Seven useful informal French expressions you don’t learn at school

Prendre un coup de froid - becoming unwell

This expression refers to becoming unwell. 

It literally translates to taking a hit of cold, however it is used to describe the onset of cold symptoms, for example getting a sore throat (mal de gorge) or the chills. 

Usually it is used to express a mild illness that can be associated with a drop in temperature. 

It comes from a more cultural aspect of France where it is believed that being exposed to the cold can lead to illness. 

We have similar imagery in English, such as ‘to catch your death’, an expression associated with the idea of getting ill as a result of being cold. 

Être malade comme un chien - to be sick as a dog

Of course, we have the same expression in English, but the French roots of the expression are rather morbid. 

It relates to the period in the 17th century where dogs were seen as simple beings and their sole purpose was to guard the house, meaning that when they were ill, no one looked after them and they died alone outside. 

Read more: French phrases that feature dogs (and some cats)

A ta / votre santé - cheers 

We all know that santé is the French equivalent of cheers, but once again its roots are very interesting. 

Once upon a time, it was believed that alcohol was actually good for our health - that it purified the body and allowed us to recuperate. 

Clinking glasses in the middle ages was also used as a method of trusting those around you - if someone had poured poison into your cup, the act of knocking glasses would ensure it made its way into every glass. 

Avoir un coup dans l’aile - to be in a bad way 

This expression is often used to describe the fatigue of someone who is ill, for example, depuis qu’il a chopé la grippe, il a un coup dans l’aile (since he caught the flu he has been in a bad way). 

It suggests the idea of being weak because of an illness. 

Avoir une fièvre de cheval - to have a really high fever 

Literally translating to having a fever of a horse, this is a humorous way to describe a really intense fever. 

The expression draws on the symbolic strength and size of a horse. 

Horses are seen as strong, powerful animals with great stamina. If even such a robust animal could be overwhelmed by a fever, it must be exceptionally severe.

It’s thought to date back to the 19th century when people often observed the health of animals, including horses, as they were vital to daily life. 

A sick horse was a noticeable event, as their illness could seem extreme compared to smaller animals due to the cost of obtaining a new one and the labour horses helped with.

Avoir un coup de pompe - to be extremely tired 

Avoir un coup de pompe means to be hit with a wave of tiredness, often associated with the beginning of an illness when exhaustion begins to hit you. 

You can also use coup de barre to suggest you feel suddenly drained. 

Reprendre du poil de la bête - bounce back / regain your strength 

This expression is related to the idea of regaining your energy after a period of being ill. 

Literally it suggests an animal growing back its fur. 

It links back to a time where it was believed that if you were bitten by a dog, you had to apply its fur to the wound to heal it. 

Se remettre sur pied - to get back on your feet

Along the same line, se remettre sur pied means to get back on your feet after being ill. 

Read more: The origins and meanings of se lever du pied gauche