How Do You Spell GREEN AROUND THE GILLS?

Pronunciation: [ɡɹˈiːn ɐɹˈa͡ʊnd ðə ɡˈɪlz] (IPA)

The phrase "green around the gills" is used to describe someone who looks ill or nauseated. The spelling "gills" in this expression refers to the gills of a fish, which can turn greenish when the fish is unwell. The pronunciation of "gills" is /ɡɪlz/ in IPA phonetic transcription, with the first syllable pronounced with a hard "g" sound and the second syllable sounding like "ills". The origin of this expression is believed to date back to the 1800s and has been commonly used ever since.

Meaning and Definition
Common Misspellings
Idioms
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GREEN AROUND THE GILLS Meaning and Definition

  1. "Green around the gills" is an idiomatic expression used to describe someone who appears sickly or unwell. It often refers to a person's pale or discolored complexion, particularly a grayish or greenish tint to their face, which can be a characteristic indication of physical illness or nausea. The phrase is derived from the appearance of a person's complexion, comparing their skin tone to the coloration of the gills found on fish or marine creatures.

    This expression is commonly used figuratively to describe someone who looks visibly unwell or nauseated due to various factors, such as illness, exhaustion, or extreme anxiety. It can also be used metaphorically to convey someone's emotional or mental state, suggesting that they appear distressed, uneasy, or troubled.

    The phrase "green around the gills" is often utilized in informal, conversational contexts to depict a person's visible and obvious signs of discomfort or ill health. It serves as a descriptive and evocative way to communicate someone's physical or emotional state without explicitly stating the cause or condition underlying the appearance. Furthermore, it can be employed as an empathetic expression to convey concern or sympathy towards someone who may be feeling unwell or going through a challenging time.

Common Misspellings for GREEN AROUND THE GILLS

  • freen around the gills
  • vreen around the gills
  • breen around the gills
  • hreen around the gills
  • yreen around the gills
  • treen around the gills
  • geeen around the gills
  • gdeen around the gills
  • gfeen around the gills
  • gteen around the gills
  • g5een around the gills
  • g4een around the gills
  • grwen around the gills
  • grsen around the gills
  • grden around the gills
  • grren around the gills
  • gr4en around the gills
  • gr3en around the gills
  • grewn around the gills
  • gresn around the gills

Idioms with the word GREEN AROUND THE GILLS

  • green around the gills The idiom "green around the gills" is used to describe someone who looks ill or nauseated, often with a pale or sickly complexion.
  • be green around the gills To look pale or sickly, often from nausea or fear.

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Correct spelling for green around the gills
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