C2idiominformalhealthIELTS-friendly
green around the gills
USUK
looking pale and sick, as if you are going to vomit
Humorous and about how someone looks, often from sea travel, rides or a hangover. British English also says 'green about the gills'.
In context
Halfway across the bay to Cat Ba, my brother was looking a bit green around the gills.
You look green around the gills; was it the seafood last night?
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