feeling out of sorts

Meaning

This expression means to feel slightly unwell, tired, or in a bad mood, but without a specific or serious illness. It is a casual way to describe that general, uncomfortable feeling when you are just not yourself.

Examples

• I didn't sleep well last night, so I've been feeling out of sorts all morning.

  I didn't sleep well last night, so I've been feeling out of sorts all morning.

• She's been feeling a bit out of sorts lately, so she decided to take a day off work.

  She's been feeling a bit out of sorts lately, so she decided to take a day off work.

• If you're feeling out of sorts, a warm bath and an early bedtime might help.

  If you're feeling out of sorts, a warm bath and an early bedtime might help.

• The weather change always makes me feel out of sorts for a couple of days.

  The weather change always makes me feel out of sorts for a couple of days.

• He was unusually quiet at dinner, and I could tell he was feeling out of sorts.

  He was unusually quiet at dinner, and I could tell he was feeling out of sorts.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I am feeling out of sort today.

  ✓ I am feeling out of sorts today.

  The word 'sorts' must always be plural in this idiom. Do not drop the 's'.

• ✗ I feel out of sorts because I have a broken leg.

  ✓ I feel out of sorts because I have a mild headache.

  'Out of sorts' is used for minor, vague physical discomforts or mild grumpiness, not for major injuries or severe medical conditions.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I think I might be coming down with something; I've been _____ all afternoon.

  💡 Feeling slightly unwell, tired, or not quite yourself.

  Show answer

  feeling out of sorts

• Don't take his grumpy attitude personally; he's just _____ today.

  💡 Feeling slightly unwell, tired, or not quite yourself.

  Show answer

  feeling out of sorts