horrible sick

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "horrible sick" is not a standard expression in written English and may sound awkward or unclear.
It could be used informally to describe someone feeling very ill, but it is not commonly accepted. Example: "After eating that questionable food, I felt horrible sick for days."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

I think if they give me that horrible sick feeling all the time, they have to go, and no nausea is involved at the moment.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It's horrible getting sick on vacation.

The New York Times - Travel

There was a woman in it whose baby ends up dying – it was a horrible and sick play, but funny in a black way.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I felt horrible and sick".

Los Angeles Times

They'll often say something like: "So, is your head full of sick, horrible ideas all the time?" Actually, it's not.

The Guardian - Books

Doctors (the middle man between the FDA (which controls all prescriptions and is, itself, a horrible scam) and sick people who need the medicine).

Huffington Post

All she knew was what this society had been cramming down her throat for her entire life: That multiplicity is sick, horrible; that you can't be that way.

Vice

As for Nova Scotia, he recalled it as the site of a bad trout-fishing expedition with his grandfather, including a "horrible after sea-sick feeling" and a few "dismal low-tide gulls".

The New Yorker

That includes shit and sick and horrible feelings.

The Guardian - Arts

I'm sorry, but I'm sick of these horrible men in impossible situations.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Anthrax, it's something that gets you sick, it's horrible, strong," he recalled thinking.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing physical discomfort, consider using more common and readily understood phrases such as "really sick" or "extremely ill" to avoid ambiguity. If you want to use the phrase "horrible sick", ensure the context clearly indicates intense physical discomfort to prevent confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "horrible sick" in formal writing or when clarity is crucial. It may sound awkward or be misinterpreted, leading to confusion. Opt for more standard expressions to ensure your message is clear and professional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "horrible sick" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies an implied subject (usually a person) and describes their state of being unwell. Ludwig shows its usage in contexts where someone feels intensely ill or nauseous.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "horrible sick" is an informal adjective phrase used to describe a strong feeling of illness or nausea. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's not a standard expression, and using more common alternatives like "really sick" or "extremely ill" is generally recommended for clarity and formality. While grammatically acceptable, its limited usage suggests reserving it for informal contexts. It appears most frequently in News & Media sources, likely when quoting someone's personal experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terribly sick

Similar to the original phrase but replaces "horrible" with "terribly" emphasizing the intensity of the sickness.

awfully sick

Uses "awfully" to intensify the feeling of sickness.

dreadfully ill

Focuses more directly on the state of being ill, emphasizing severity.

violently ill

Implies a sudden and forceful onset of illness.

extremely ill

Emphasizes the severity of the illness in a more formal tone.

sick as a dog

An idiomatic expression indicating severe illness.

nauseatingly unwell

Highlights the nauseating aspect of feeling unwell.

intensely nauseous

Focuses on the strong feeling of nausea.

dreadfully nauseated

Expresses a strong feeling of sickness and disgust.

revoltingly sick

Emphasizes the disgusting nature of the sickness.

FAQs

What does "horrible sick" mean?

The phrase "horrible sick" is an informal way to describe feeling extremely unwell or nauseous. While not grammatically incorrect, it is not a common expression in formal English.

Are there better alternatives to "horrible sick"?

Yes, more common and clearer alternatives include "extremely ill", "really sick", or "terribly sick". These are more widely understood and suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

How can I use "horrible sick" in a sentence?

You can use "horrible sick" in informal contexts to describe a strong feeling of illness. For example, "After eating that questionable food, I felt horrible sick for days." However, consider using more standard phrases for clarity in formal writing.

Is "horrible sick" grammatically correct?

While grammatically sound, "horrible sick" is not a standard or widely recognized expression. It's better to use alternatives like "dreadfully ill" or "violently ill" to ensure your meaning is clear and avoid potential confusion.