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# tummy bug

phrase (noun phrase, «a tummy bug», plural «tummy bugs»)

«tummy bug» 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

(everyday, UK) an illness of the stomach caused by a germ, with vomiting, diarrhoea or both.

### In the lessons

A soft, childish-sounding word for stomach infection, used by parents, schools and even doctors to sound gentle; common in the UK, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Americans say «stomach bug» or «stomach flu».

### Examples

- (school letter) Please keep children home for 48 hours after a tummy bug.
- (parent) He's off school with a tummy bug.
- (chat) whole family got a tummy bug, great holiday
- (news) A tummy bug spread through the cruise ship.
- (nurse) Drink small sips of water if you have a tummy bug.
- (maths) 6 of the 30 pupils had a tummy bug, so 1 in 5 were ill.

### Note

Trap: «bug» is a germ here, not an insect. «Tummy» is childish for stomach, but adults use it too. Wash hands to stop it spreading.