complain of

complain of (something)

To state the physical ailments or symptoms of illness that one is experiencing. The appendicitis patient came into the ER complaining of stomach pain.
See also: complain, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

complain of something

to moan and suffer from a disease; to report the symptoms of a disease or health condition. Kenneth complained of a headache and general weakness. The patient was complaining of a headache.
See also: complain, of
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • complain of (something)
  • joke is on
  • the joke is on someone
  • the joke's on (one)
  • the joke's on sb
  • the laugh is on (one)
  • the laugh is on me
  • alone in a crowd
  • cast-iron stomach
  • strong stomach
References in classic literature
As it was, nobody having reason to complain of unjustly-diminished wages, nobody cared about any preferences in which profit was not involved.
A Rogues Life
Upjohn came sometimes before Philip was in, and then Cronshaw would complain of him bitterly.
Of Human Bondage
Bounderby, folding his arms, 'do you people, in a general way, complain of?'
Hard Times
When patients complain of symptoms in the anterior nose or vestibular region, the etiology can include hair follicle inflammation, cysts, nasal polyps, and neoplasms, including papilloma and skin- or mucosa-based malignancies.
Epidermal inclusion cyst in the nasal vestibule. (Rhinoscopic Clinic)
Dr Paul Wilson, a GP and managing medical officer at Leyhill, said that Nixon was given a medical when he first transferred to the prison in April 1998 and did not complain of any problems.
Murderer did not ask for cancer treatment