be green about the gills
be green about the gills
To be nauseated. After all that drinking last night, I sure am green about the gills today. The steady rocking of the boat caused Colleen to be green about the gills.
See also: gill, green
green about the gills
Nauseated. After all that drinking last night, I sure am green about the gills today. The steady rocking of the boat caused Colleen to be green about the gills.
See also: gill, green
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
green about the gills
Also, green around the gills. Looking ill or nauseated, as in After that bumpy ride she looked quite green about the gills. The use of green to describe an ailing person's complexion dates from about 1300, and gills has referred to the flesh around human jaws and ears since the 1600s. Although in the 1800s white and yellow were paired with gills to suggest illness, the alliterative green has survived them.
See also: gill, green
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
green about (or around or at) the gills
looking or feeling ill or nauseous. informalA person's gills are the fleshy parts between the jaw and the ears: this sense of the word dates from the early 17th century. Other colours are occasionally used to indicate a sickly appearance; much less common is rosy about the gills indicating good health.
See also: gill, green
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
ˌgreen about the ˈgills
(informal) looking or feeling as if you are going to be sick, especially at sea; seasick: You look a bit green about the gills. Go up on deck and get some fresh air. Gills are the openings on the side of a fish’s head that it breathes through.
See also: gill, green
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
- green about the gills
- be green around the gills
- green around the gills
- green as grass
- (as) green as grass
- green indigo
- green
- Where on God’s green earth?
- green state
- rub of the green