PhrasesHub

Out of sorts

    Definitions

      • not feeling oneself
        To describe feeling unwell, irritable, or in a bad mood

      • disorganized
        To describe being disorganized, not functioning properly, or not in the usual state of order

    Examples of Out of sorts

    • Sarah woke up feeling out of sorts this morning. She couldn't seem to shake off the grogginess and felt sluggish all day long.

      "Out of sorts" is an idiom that means feeling unwell or uncomfortable. In this example, Sarah is not feeling her usual self and is experiencing symptoms such as grogginess and sluggishness. She describes herself as "out of sorts" to communicate that she is not entirely well or on her usual game.

    • The actress seemed out of sorts during the press conference. Her answers were brief, and she avoided making eye contact with the reporters.

      In this example, "out of sorts" is being used to describe the actress's behavior or demeanor. It means that she appeared to be feeling uncomfortable or uneasy, perhaps due to nerves or illness. This phrase is often used to refer to someone who is acting differently or seems off in some way.

    • After a long and stressful day at work, John came home out of sorts. He forgot to pick up his daughter from school, and he accidentally spilled coffee on his shirt.

      Here, "out of sorts" is being used to describe John's state of mind or emotional well-being. It implies that he is feeling frazzled or disoriented, perhaps due to exhaustion or overwhelm. This metaphorical usage of the idiom highlights the idea that when someone is out of sorts, their behavior and decision-making may become erratic or impaired.

    • On the morning of the science fair, the project that the students had been working on all year suddenly fell apart. The gears stopped turning, and the wires came loose. The whole thing was completely out of sorts.

      In this example, "out of sorts" is being used to describe the state of the students' science project. It means that the project was no longer functioning properly, perhaps due to some unforeseen issue or malfunction. This idiom is often used to describe a situation where something that was once working smoothly has suddenly become disordered or disrupted.

    • The restaurant was out of sorts when the health inspector arrived for her routine check. The staff was disorganized, and the kitchen was a mess. The inspector left with a list of violations, and the owners immediately scheduled a deep cleaning.

      Here, "out of sorts" is being used to describe the state of the restaurant's operations. It means that the restaurant was not functioning properly or efficiently, perhaps due to a lack of organization or preparation. This idiom is often used to describe a situation where something that is typically reliable or efficient has suddenly become disorganized or unreliable. The use of this idiom in this context emphasizes the impact that disorganization and inefficiency can have on a business or organization.

    • Sally woke up feeling out of sorts today. She couldn't quite put her finger on what was wrong, but she felt sluggish and unmotivated.

      To be out of sorts is to feel unwell or uncomfortable, but the cause of the discomfort cannot be immediately identified or explained. Sally's mood and energy level are off, causing her to be less productive and less cheerful than usual.

    • The team's performance in the game last night left them feeling out of sorts. They had played sloppily and lost, and were now struggling to come to terms with their disappointment.

      Being out of sorts can also refer to a feeling of disorientation or confusion. The team's defeat had left them feeling disoriented and confused, unable to process the events of the previous night's game.

    • After a long day at work, Tom came home feeling out of sorts. He had worked late and didn't get enough sleep the previous night, leaving him feeling groggy and disoriented.

      In this context, being out of sorts refers to a feeling of physical discomfort or exhaustion, caused by a lack of sleep or other factors. Tom's body was struggling to adjust to his irregular work schedule and lack of rest.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "out of sorts" can be used to describe both physical and emotional states. When someone is not feeling themselves or is in a bad mood, they can be described as being "out of sorts." It can also be used to describe a disorganized or chaotic situation.

    Origin of "Out of sorts"

    The origin of the idiom "out of sorts" is not completely clear, but it is believed to have originated from the 16th century. The word "sorts" in this context refers to one's physical and mental state. The idiom was originally used to describe someone who was not feeling well or was in a bad mood. Over time, it has also come to be used to describe disorganization or a lack of order. The idiom has stood the test of time and is still commonly used in modern English.

    Examples of usage can be found in literature from different time periods, showing that it has been a part of the English language for centuries. It is a versatile idiom that can be used in various contexts to describe both physical and emotional states.