HEALTH

HEALTH AND APPEARANCE

475 When someone is in good health

His doctor gave him a clean bill of health.

a clean bill of health = a good report on one’s health

He’s the picture of health.

He’s in the pink.

He looks great.

He’s looking good.

He’s in top form.

He’s at the top of his form.

I couldn’t be better.

I feel like a million dollars.

I feel like a million bucks.

She looks like a million dollars.

She looks like a million bucks.

He’s bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. (idiomatic)

I’m sound as a dollar. (cliché)

I’m fresh as a daisy. (cliché)

She’s healthy as a horse. (cliché)

She’s fit as a fiddle. (cliché)

476 Observing that someone looks disorderly

You look tired.

You look like you need some sleep.

You look dreadful.

You look terrible.

You look like hell. (mildly vulgar)

You look a sight.

You’re a sight.

Look what the cat dragged in. (informal)

You look like something the cat dragged in. (informal)

You look like you’ve been to hell and back. (informal)

You look like you’ve been through a war.

You look like you’ve gone through the wringer.

477 When someone looks very bad

You could stop a truck. (informal)

You could stop a clock. (informal)

That face could stop a clock. (informal)

Are you having a bad hair day? (informal)

You’re as ugly as sin. (informal)

478 Inquiring about someone’s health or well-being

Are you OK?

Are you feeling OK?

Are you all right?

Do you feel all right?

479 When someone does not look well

You don’t look well.

You don’t look too good. (informal)

You don’t look so good. (informal)

You look like death.

You look like death warmed over.

You look green around the gills.

You look a little peaked.

You look flushed.

You look pale.

You’re pale.

You’re white as a ghost.

SICKNESS

480 Concerning allergies

I’m allergic to sulfa.

   I’m allergic to ≈ I have an allergy to, I can’t tolerate

I’m allergic to penicillin.

I’m allergic to cats.

I’m allergic to dogs.

I’m allergic to pollen.

I’m allergic to dust.

I’m allergic to bees.

I’m allergic to bee stings.

I’m allergic to chocolate.

I’m allergic to shrimp.

I’m allergic to strawberries.

I can’t have chocolate.

I can’t eat strawberries.

I can’t drink milk.

I can’t have dairy products.

I can’t digest milk.

I’m lactose intolerant.

I have hayfever.

Dairy products make me break out in a rash.

My ID bracelet lists my allergies.

ID = identification

I have an environmental illness.

481 Allergic problems with the nose and breathing

My allergies are acting up.

My sinuses are acting up.

My sinuses are bothering me.

My sinuses are congested.

My sinuses ache.

My nose is clogged.

My nose is stuffed up.

My nose is congested.

I can’t breathe.

482 When someone sneezes

Bless you.

God bless you.

Gesundheit. (German)

483 Allergic problems with the eyes

My eyes are swollen.

My eyes are puffy.

My eyes itch.

My eyes are itchy.

484 Allergic problems with the skin

My skin is breaking out.

I’m breaking out.

I’m breaking out in hives.

I break out when I eat chocolate.

My skin itches whenever I eat shrimp.

485 Expressing general feelings of illness

I’m sick.

I feel sick.

I’m sick as a dog. (informal)

I feel funny.

I feel awful.

I feel downright awful.

I feel terrible.

I feel lousy.

I feel rotten.

I feel like hell. (mildly vulgar)

486 Expressing mild discomfort owing to illness

I don’t feel well.

I don’t feel so well.

I don’t feel quite right.

I feel ill.

I’m not feeling myself.

I’m feeling under the weather.

I’m a little under the weather.

I’m feeling a little down in the mouth.

487 When you feel like vomiting

I feel sick to my stomach.

I’m sick to my stomach.

I feel nauseous.

I feel like throwing up. (informal)

I think I’m going to throw up. (informal)

I think I’m going to vomit.

I’m going to barf. (slang)

to barf = to vomit

I think I’m going to be sick.

to be sick = to vomit

I think I’m going to lose my cookies. (slang)

to lose my cookies = to vomit

I think I’m going to lose my lunch. (slang)

to lose my lunch = to vomit

488 Describing a pain in the head

I have a headache.

My head hurts.

My head is killing me.

I’ve got a splitting headache.

My head is throbbing.

My head is pounding.

There’s a hammering inside my head.

I have a migraine.

I have an excruciating headache.

489 Describing dizziness

I’m dizzy.

The room is spinning.

I’m so dizzy I can’t stand up.

I’m so dizzy I have to sit down.

490 Describing being exhausted or worn-out

I’m exhausted.

I need some rest.

I need a nap.

I need to take a day off.

I need a day off.

I need a vacation.

My get-up-and-go has got up and left. (informal)

get-up-and-go = energy; vitality

491 Offering care to a sick person

Can I get you a glass of water?

Do you want a glass of water?

Would you like a glass of water?

Would a glass of water help?

Would you like to lie down?

Want to lie down?

Would you like some aspirin?

Want some aspirin?

Should I call a doctor?

Have you seen a doctor?

492 Concerning catching a disease

Is it catching?

Are you contagious?

Don’t give it to me.

I don’t want to catch it.

You need to relax.

You’ve been running around too much.

Your resistance is down.

It’s been going around.

DOCTORS

493 Questions a doctor asks of a patient

What’s the matter?

What brings you here?

Describe what’s wrong.

What seems to be the problem?

You look fit as a fiddle. What could be wrong?

Can you describe the problem?

Can you describe the symptoms?

Can you tell me what’s wrong?

Does it hurt when I do this?

Has this been a problem before?

Have you had this problem before?

Have you had this problem long?

How long have you had this problem?

Have you had this before?

494 Getting your medical history

Is your mother living?

Is your father living?

What did your mother die of?

What did your father die of?

Is there a history of diabetes in your family?

diabetes ≈ cancer, heart disease, arthritis, strokes

495 Telling the doctor what happened

I fell down the stairs.

I fell off a skateboard.

I got hit with a ball.

I got hit with a bat.

I was in a fight.

I was in an accident.

496 Telling the doctor about a pain in the back

I have a pain in my back.

My back is sore.

I can’t bend over.

I can’t get up.

My back hurts.

I have an aching back.

I pulled my back.

I threw my back out.

497 Telling the doctor about soreness

I pulled a muscle.

I strained a muscle.

I sprained my wrist.

I twisted my ankle.

My ankle is swollen.

It’s all red and puffy.

498 Telling the doctor about bleeding

I’m bleeding.

It keeps bleeding.

It won’t stop bleeding.

I’m bleeding like a stuck pig. (informal)

499 Telling the doctor about various pains and problems

There’s a kink in my neck.

a kink = a twist or cramp

There’s a crick in my back.

a crick = a muscle spasm

I have a lump here.

It stings.

I’ve got a stinging sensation.

I feel weak.

I feel dizzy.

I feel feverish.

I’m having hot flashes.

I get the chills.

I can’t put pressure on my foot.

I can’t step down on my foot.

It burns when I go to the bathroom.

My eyes hurt in bright light.

My ears hurt when it’s noisy.

My arm hurts when I move it like this.

It hurts here.

It hurts when I run.

It hurts after I eat.

It hurts when I breathe.

It hurts when I do this.

500 Telling the doctor how long you have been ill

I’ve been sick for a day.

I’ve been sick for two weeks.

I lost my appetite four days ago.

This started a week ago.

501 Telling the doctor about vomiting

I’ve been throwing up.

I can’t hold food down.

I lose my cookies. (slang)

I lose my lunch. (slang)

I’ve got morning sickness.

morning sickness = nausea associated with pregnancy

502 Telling the doctor about bowel problems

I’ve got diarrhea.

I’ve got the runs.

I’m constipated.

503 Telling the doctor about sleep problems

I can’t sleep.

I have insomnia.

I lie awake all night long.

I’ve been really sleepy.

I’m always drowsy.

I can’t seem to stay awake.

504 Telling the doctor about allergies

My skin itches.

I have a rash.

I’ve got blotches all over my skin.

I’ve got these bumps on my skin.

I’m allergic to penicillin.

I’m allergic to sulfa.

I’m diabetic.

I’m asthmatic.

I have asthma.

505 Important things to tell a doctor

I’m pregnant.

I think I’m pregnant.

I’m on medication.

I have a heart condition.

I have a pacemaker.

I have arthritis.

I am allergic to penicillin.

I’ve had this before.

This problem runs in the family.

All my father’s relatives have this disease.

506 Expressions a doctor uses about medicine and tests

Do you have any allergies?

Are you allergic to any medications?

Are you allergic to penicillin?

I’m going to write you a prescription.

I’m going to give you a prescription.

I’m going to give you something for it.

I’m going to give you something for the pain.

I’d like to run some tests.

When was the last time you had a tetanus shot?

I’d like to take a blood sample.

I should have the results back in a week.

The results should be back in a week.

I’m going to refer you to someone else.

Take two aspirin and call me in the morning.

507 Asking a doctor about a medical problem

Can it be cured?

Is it serious?

Is it broken?

Is it malignant?

Is it cancer?

Is it curable?

Is it treatable?

Can you do something about it?

Do I need stitches?

Do I need surgery?

Will my insurance cover this?

Do I have to stay overnight?

508 Talking to a hospital patient

Are you all right?

How are you feeling today?

Are you doing better today?

You look good.

You’re looking really good.

You’re looking well.

Your color is good.

I brought you some flowers.

I brought you some candy.

I came as soon as I heard.

I got here as soon as I could.

John sends his love.

Get well soon.

509 Questions for the hospital patient

Have they figured out what’s wrong?

What’s the prognosis?

the prognosis = the prediction for the future outcome of an illness

How long will you be here?

When do you get to go home?

When are you going home?

When are you being released?

Is there anything you need?

Do you need anything?

Is there anything I can do?

Can I get you anything?

Should I call for the nurse?

Is the food as bad as they say?

How’s the food?

How’s your doctor?

510 Explaining that your health is improving

I’m improving.

I’m getting better.

I’m getting over it.

I’m getting back on my feet.

I’m getting back on my legs.

I’m getting back to normal.

I’m bouncing back.

I’m on the road to recovery.

I’m out of the woods.

Things are looking up.

I’ve hit bottom and things are looking up.

I’m better now.

I’m better than I was.

511 Explaining that you are receiving medical care

I still have to go back to the doctor for a follow-up.

I’m still under a doctor’s care.

I’m still seeing a doctor.

I’m in therapy.

I’m still seeing a therapist.

512 Explaining that you are cured of a health problem

I’m well now.

I’m all better.

I’m completely over it.

I’m as good as new.

It’s like it never happened.

I feel like a new person.

I’ve got a new lease on life.

MEDICINE

513 Instructions for taking prescription medication

One teaspoon daily.

One teaspoon three times daily.

One tablet three times daily.

Two capsules three times daily.

Take three times daily.

Take four times daily.

Take in the morning.

Take before going to bed.

Take as needed.

Take two of the pills each morning for two weeks.

Not to be taken more than four times within a 24-hour period.

Take after eating.

Take before eating.

This medication should be taken with meals.

This medication should be taken with food.

Do not eat for half an hour before or after taking this medicine.

Do not operate heavy machinery while taking this medication.

Do not drink alcohol.

Do not drive after taking this medication.

514 Medical warnings and advice found on product labels

Pregnant women: please consult your physician before use.

Attention phenylketonurics: contains phenylalanine.

Warning: The U.S. Surgeon General has determined that smoking is hazardous to your health.

Sodium content provided for customers who, on the advice of a physician, are modifying their sodium intake.

May cause drowsiness.

Contains MSG.

Expires 10/15/98.

Use before 10/15/98.

515 Health claims found on consumer products

Low fat.

Fat-free.

Contains no cholesterol.

Contains low sodium.

Low sodium.

MENTAL HEALTH

516 Statements made to a guidance counselor or therapist

I need help.

I’ve been depressed lately.

I’ve been thinking about killing myself.

I’ve been thinking about suicide.

I’ve been suicidal.

I’ve been considering suicide.

I’m lonely.

I’m scared.

I’m stressed out at work. (informal)

I’m under a lot of stress.

I’m under a lot of pressure.

I get really nervous in public.

I’m very anxious.

I’m really anxious.

I hear voices.

I see things that really aren’t there.

No one likes me.

No one loves me.

My boss hates me.

I hate my parents.

I hate my kids.

I hate my job.

I hate my boss.

I dread going to work.

I dread going home.

I’m hostile toward my parents.

I don’t know what’s wrong with me.

I can’t describe it, really.

I can’t express my anger.

I’m afraid to let my emotions show.

I’m afraid that people will laugh at me.

I let people walk all over me.

I get taken advantage of.

I let people take advantage of me.

I let myself be taken advantage of.

I can’t say no.

I’m not assertive enough.

I’m not aggressive enough.

517 Statements concerning excessive drinking

I drink to excess.

I drink excessively.

I get drunk almost every day.

I probably drink more than I should.

I guess I drink more than most people I know.

I drink too much.

I’ve been drinking too much.

I am an alcoholic.

518 Statements about sexual and physical abuse

I was molested as a child.

I was abused as a child.

I was sexually abused as a child.

My husband beats me.

I beat my children.

519 Statements made to a marriage counselor

The romance has gone out of our marriage.

The honeymoon is over.

I’ve fallen out of love.

I don’t love her anymore.

She doesn’t love me anymore.

We’ve drifted apart.

It’s the little things that annoy me.

He never listens to me.

We never talk anymore.

He doesn’t pay any attention to me.

He’s always yelling.

He’s never there when I need him.

He’s always out with his friends.

520 Statements made about infidelity

I found out she was having an affair.

I found out he was seeing someone behind my back.

I found out he was seeing someone else.

She’s seeing someone on the side.

on the side = in addition

She’s got someone on the side.

He’s found somebody else.

She’s found somebody new.

He’s been fooling around. (informal)

fooling around = being unfaithful

She’s been messing around. (informal)

messing around = being unfaithful

521 Statements made about trying to make a marriage work

We’d like to try to make it work.

We’d like to work it out.

We’d like to stay together.