How do you use "Green around the gills" in a sentence?

You're looking a bit green around the gills—need some fresh air? After the rollercoaster, he was green around the gills. She went green around the gills when she saw the bill.

Green around the gills

Q: What does "Green around the gills" mean?

Looking nauseous or seasick; appearing unwell. Describes someone who looks like they might be sick—the greenish pallor associated with nausea. Originally nautical, referring to seasickness.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Casual

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Meaning: Looking nauseous or seasick; appearing unwell.

看起来要吐、晕船的样子；脸色不好。

Con cara de estar mareado o a punto de vomitar; con mala cara.

吐きそうに見える、船酔いしているように見える；顔色が悪い。

메스꺼워 보이는, 배멀미한 것 같은; 안색이 좋지 않은.

Describes someone who looks like they might be sick—the greenish pallor associated with nausea. Originally nautical, referring to seasickness.

形容看起来快要吐了的人——与恶心相关的青白脸色。源自航海用语，指晕船。

Describe a alguien que parece que va a vomitar—la palidez verdosa asociada con las náuseas. Originalmente término náutico, referido al mareo.

吐きそうに見える人を表す。吐き気に伴う青白い顔色を指す。元々は航海用語で、船酔いを指していた。

메스꺼움과 관련된 푸르스름한 안색처럼 토할 것 같아 보이는 사람을 묘사하는 표현. 원래 뱃멀미를 가리키는 항해 용어에서 유래.

Literal meaning: Having a greenish tinge near the jaw/neck (where fish have gills)

Examples

You're looking a bit green around the gills—need some fresh air?
你脸色不太好，需要出去透透气吗？
Tienes mala cara, ¿necesitas aire fresco?
顔色悪いよ。新鮮な空気が必要？
얼굴이 좀 안 좋아 보이는데—바람 좀 쐴래?
After the rollercoaster, he was green around the gills.
坐完过山车后，他脸都绿了
Después de la montaña rusa, estaba pálido
ジェットコースターの後、彼は顔が真っ青だった
롤러코스터 타고 나서 그는 얼굴이 새파랬어.
She went green around the gills when she saw the bill.
看到账单她脸都白了
Se puso pálida cuando vio la cuenta
請求書を見て彼女は青ざめた
청구서를 보고 그녀는 얼굴이 하얘졌어.

Pronunciation

/ɡriːn əˈraʊnd ðə ɡɪlz/

Usage Guide

Context: nausea, seasickness, looking unwell

Tone: concerned, descriptive

✓ Do Say

Looking green around the gills.
看起来脸色不好
Tener mala cara
顔色が悪そう
얼굴이 하얗게 질렸어
A bit green around the gills.
有点脸色发白
Un poco pálido
ちょっと顔色悪い
좀 안색이 안 좋아
Going green around the gills.
脸色开始发白
Ponerse pálido
青ざめてきた
얼굴이 파래지고 있어

✗ Don't Say

Looking nauseous
Looking nauseous（太直接）
Looking nauseous (demasiado directo)
Looking nauseous（直接的すぎる）
Looking nauseous (너무 직접적임)
About to be sick
About to be sick（太直接）
About to be sick (demasiado directo)
About to be sick（直接的すぎる）
About to be sick (너무 직접적임)

Common Mistakes

The 'gills' refers to the area around the jaw, like fish
Can be used for shock or fear, not just physical nausea

Origin & History

From the greenish pallor of nausea, referencing fish gills.

Etymology: Nautical English

First recorded: 19th century

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Nautical literature; Travel humor

Regional notes: Used across English-speaking world, nautical origins.

Variations

Green around the gillsLooking greenGoing green