B1idiomhealthIELTS-friendly
a splitting headache
USUK
a very bad headache
Usually with 'have', 'get' or 'wake up with'. 'Splitting' means it feels as if your head is breaking.
In context
I woke up with a splitting headache after the long flight.
The noise from the building site next door gave me a splitting headache.
More idioms about health
- a clean bill of healtha doctor's statement, after an examination, that someone is healthy
- a new lease of lifenew energy, or a chance to be active or useful again
- a ripe old agea very old age, reached in good health
- a second windnew energy that lets you continue after you felt too tired
- a shadow of your former selfmuch weaker, thinner or less impressive than before