Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 6 days ago
Prepositions are often used to create idiomatic expressions. These can take the form of a prepositional phrase, a compound with a prepositional prefix, or other forms.
This week's batch of vocabulary videos presents pairs of idiomatic expressions that each begins with a preposition, though these are opposing prepositions, like above & under, behind and up front, and so on.
In this video, we are looking at 'under the weather' and 'above the fray'. Both of these items idiomatic expressions (meaning something other than the words used).
under the weather: not feeling well, sick
The keynote speaker had to withdraw from the conference as she was feeling under the weather.
Anyone who feels under the weather should not come to the office in case they have something contagious.
(be/stay) above the fray: don’t get involved in the chaos/argument/dispute
Regardless how much they want to stay above the fray of an election campaign, all politicians eventually get dragged into it.
To survive and thrive in any work environment, try to stay above the fray of interoffice politics and intrigue.
Try creating your own sentences with these expressions. Be sure to read and comment on others' examples.
Prepositions are often used to create idiomatic expressions. These can take the form of a prepositional phrase, a compound with a prepositional prefix, or other forms.
This week's batch of vocabulary videos presents pairs of idiomatic expressions that each begins with a preposition, though these are opposing prepositions, like above & under, behind and up front, and so on.
In this video, we are looking at 'under the weather' and 'above the fray'. Both of these items idiomatic expressions (meaning something other than the words used).
under the weather: not feeling well, sick
The keynote speaker had to withdraw from the conference as she was feeling under the weather.
Anyone who feels under the weather should not come to the office in case they have something contagious.
(be/stay) above the fray: don’t get involved in the chaos/argument/dispute
Regardless how much they want to stay above the fray of an election campaign, all politicians eventually get dragged into it.
To survive and thrive in any work environment, try to stay above the fray of interoffice politics and intrigue.
Try creating your own sentences with these expressions. Be sure to read and comment on others' examples.
