come down with

Meaning

This phrasal verb means to start suffering from a minor illness, such as a cold, the flu, or a sore throat. It is very common in everyday conversation when you feel the first symptoms of getting sick.

Examples

• I think I'm coming down with a cold because my throat has been scratchy all day.

  I think I'm coming down with a cold because my throat has been scratchy all day.

• Several kids in my daughter's class have come down with the flu this week.

  Several kids in my daughter's class have come down with the flu this week.

• He had to cancel his trip because he came down with food poisoning the night before.

  He had to cancel his trip because he came down with food poisoning the night before.

• Make sure to wash your hands often so you don't come down with whatever is going around.

  Make sure to wash your hands often so you don't come down with whatever is going around.

• She woke up shivering and realized she was coming down with something.

  She woke up shivering and realized she was coming down with something.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ He came down with a cancer.

  ✓ He was diagnosed with cancer.

  'Come down with' is used for minor, infectious, or temporary illnesses like a cold, flu, or fever, not for serious, long-term diseases.

• ✗ I came down of a cold last week.

  ✓ I came down with a cold last week.

  The correct preposition combination is 'down with'. Do not use 'down of' or 'down from'.

Related Expressions

Practice

• If you don't wear a warm coat in this freezing weather, you might _____ something.

  💡 A phrasal verb meaning to start getting sick with a minor illness.

  Show answer

  come down with

• I hope I don't _____ the flu before my big exam next Tuesday.

  💡 A phrasal verb meaning to start getting sick with a minor illness.

  Show answer

  come down with