The phrase "falls ill" is a common way to describe someone becoming sick. In terms of its spelling, "falls" uses the long 'a' sound as in "father" and the double 'l' indicates a short pause before moving on to the next syllable. "Ill" uses the short 'i' sound and the double 'l' again indicates a short pause before ending the word with an aspirated 'h' sound. The International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription for "falls ill" is /fɔlz ɪl/.
"Falls ill" is a commonly used idiomatic phrase that refers to the state of becoming unwell or experiencing illness. The term "falls" in this context denotes the sudden and unexpected occurrence of the condition, while "ill" indicates a state of poor health or physical discomfort.
When someone "falls ill," it means they have contracted a disease or developed symptoms that are detrimental to their overall wellbeing. The nature and severity of the illness can vary widely, ranging from minor ailments like a common cold or flu to more serious conditions such as pneumonia, diabetes, or cancer.
Furthermore, "falls ill" does not necessarily imply a specific cause or reason for the illness. It can be used to describe any instance in which an individual's health declines or they experience symptoms that hinder their everyday activities. This phrase can be applied to both acute or short-lived illnesses and chronic conditions that endure for an extended period.
When an individual "falls ill," it often necessitates seeking medical attention, such as consulting a healthcare professional, undergoing diagnostic tests, receiving treatment, or taking prescribed medications. Depending on the severity of the illness and the person's overall health, recovery may range from a few days to several weeks or even longer.
In summary, the phrase "falls ill" signifies the onset of sickness or the occurrence of symptoms that indicate a decline in an individual's physical condition, prompting the need for medical attention and potential treatment.
The etymology of the phrase "falls ill" can be traced back to Old English and Middle English.
The verb "fall" in this context means to become or be affected by an illness. It has origins in Old English "feallan", which meant to fall or decline. Over time, this sense of falling extended to encompass the notion of becoming ill.
The word "ill" comes from the Old English word "iell", meaning evil, wicked, or bad. In the context of illness, it refers to a state of poor health or suffering.
Therefore, the phrase "falls ill" combines the idea of experiencing a decline or negative change (fall) with the state of being in poor health (ill). It is used to describe the onset of an illness or the act of becoming sick.