PhrasesHub

Mal de mer

    Definitions

      • motion sickness
        Refers to the feeling of nausea and discomfort experienced when traveling by sea

    Examples of Mal de mer

    • The motion of the boat made me feel like I had a case of mal de mer, even though I hadn't eaten anything questionable.

      Mal de mer is a French phrase that translates to "sea sickness". It is used as an idiom to describe feelings of nausea and unease caused by motion, particularly sea sickness. In this example, the speaker is experiencing symptoms often associated with sea sickness, such as nausea and unease, despite not having consumed anything that might typically cause these feelings.

    • The rollercoaster ride left me feeling like I had mal de mer, even though I was securely strapped in.

      Mal de mer is used metaphorically in this example to describe the feeling of unease and discomfort caused by the movement of the rollercoaster ride. This type of motion sickness can be experienced in situations other than being on a boat, as the motion creates feelings of nausea and unease.

    • The driver's erratic driving made me feel as if I had mal de mer, even though I was in the passenger seat.

      Mal de mer is used both literally and metaphorically in this example. Literally, the motion caused by the driver's erratic driving might cause seasickness symptoms in a passenger, as they are being jostled around as if they are on a moving boat. Metaphorically, the person speaking is using mal de mer to describe the feeling of unease and discomfort caused by the driver's erratic driving.

    • I hate flying, it always makes me feel like I have mal de mer.

      Mal de mer is used metaphorically in this example to describe the feeling of unease and discomfort that some people experience while flying. The motion of the airplane can cause symptoms similar to seasickness, such as nausea and dizziness. This use of mal de mer is an example of how idiomatic expressions can be adapted to describe new or different situations.

    • Despite being a seasoned sailor, John couldn't shake off the mal de mer during the rough sea voyage to the Caribbean.

      Mal de mer is a French phrase meaning "sea sickness" in English. In this example, it is used as a noun to describe the specific medical condition that John is experiencing.

    • The flight attendant warned the passengers that turbulence could cause mal de mer, but many of them ignored her and regretted it as they clutched onto the armrests, feeling the familiar waves of nausea.

      In this example, mal de mer is used as a noun in a sentence to describe the possible side effect of turbulence on an airplane.

    • Seth tried to avoid looking at the choppy waters as the yacht rocked violently, fearing that the sight of the endless waves would trigger his mal de mer.

      Here, mal de mer is used as a noun in a sentence to indicate Seth's premonition that the sight of the sea would trigger his sea sickness.

    • The crew warned the passengers that the rough seas would be a test of their mettle, but some of them were surprised to find that their mal de mer was more than they could handle.

      Mal de mer is used as a noun in a sentence to illustrate how some passengers found it challenging to cope with the intense seasickness.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "mal de mer" specifically refers to the discomfort and nausea experienced while traveling by sea, but it can also be used more broadly to describe motion sickness in general. It is often used to sympathize with someone who is feeling unwell while traveling, particularly on a boat or ship.

    Origin of "Mal de mer"

    The idiom "mal de mer" comes from the French language, where "mal" means "bad" and "mer" means "sea." The idiom has been used in English since at least the 18th century, and it reflects the longstanding association between travel by sea and the discomfort of motion sickness. The idiom highlights the unpleasantness of feeling ill while at sea, and it has become a common way to express sympathy for someone who is suffering from motion sickness. Overall, "mal de mer" captures the universal experience of feeling unwell while traveling on the sea.