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# feeling delicate

phrase (verb phrase: feel delicate, feels, felt, feeling delicate; also «a bit delicate»)

«feeling delicate» in the English dictionary: in the primary school — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## In the primary school

Source: Mova's pupils' dictionary. Licence: [Elamur Cosmic License](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/docs/LICENSE/). Reviewed: the dictionary the pupils of Mova's primary school read; its examples quote the lessons and public-domain tales. Ships with Mova.

### Meaning

1. (euphemism, mainly UK) feeling sick or weak, often because of drinking too much alcohol the night before (a hangover).
2. feeling unwell in general, especially in the stomach.
3. (literal) feeling easily hurt or upset.

### In the lessons

A polite or joking British way to say «hung over» or «sick», used among adults at work or at home to avoid admitting too much drinking. Humorous and genteel register, UK, Ireland, Australia.

### Examples

- Dad's feeling a bit delicate after the wedding last night.
- I'm feeling delicate this morning, so please don't shout.
- After the funfair rides, Mia was feeling delicate.
- "Feeling delicate, are we?" teased Mum, handing him a glass of water.
- The boss came in late, feeling delicate after the office party.
- My stomach's feeling delicate, I'll just have toast.
- She felt delicate all day after the long boat trip.
- Gossip says the best man was feeling very delicate at breakfast.

### Note

Trap: «delicate» usually means easily broken (delicate glass) or fine; here it means sick, often a hangover. Plain words: hung over, queasy, sick. It is a jokey cover, so the real cause is often drinking.