Ill At Ease – Meaning and Examples
Have you ever been in a formal dinner or a big crowd where you felt awkward, nervous, or uncomfortable? When you feel worried or out of place in a situation, we use the idiom ill at ease. This phrase is perfect for describing social or emotional discomfort. Let’s learn how to use ill at ease to describe those uneasy feelings!
What Does “Ill At Ease” Mean?
“Ill at ease” means to feel uncomfortable, nervous, or socially awkward. It suggests a lack of peace or calmness, particularly when you are in a public or new situation. Think of it like being a stranger in a room where everyone else knows each other and you don’t. That feeling of slight anxiety or restlessness is being ill at ease. The phrase is used to describe an emotional or mental state, not a physical sickness.
When to Use It
Use this phrase in neutral or casual conversations when talking about feelings of anxiety or discomfort:
- Social Situations: Feeling awkward at a party or formal event.
- New Places: Being uncomfortable in a new office or school.
- Emotional State: When someone’s body language shows they are worried or distressed.
This phrase is neutral and is a polite way to describe nervousness.
Example Sentences
- He was clearly ill at ease during the job interview.
- She felt ill at ease wearing a dress, as she usually wears jeans.
- The silence in the room made the speaker feel deeply ill at ease.
- We tried to make the new employee comfortable, but she still seemed ill at ease.
Mini Dialogue
Alex: “Did you notice how quiet Maria was at the conference?”
Jamie: “Yes, she looked very ill at ease; I don’t think she knew anyone there.”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Do not confuse ill at ease (meaning nervous/uncomfortable) with “under the weather” (meaning slightly sick). Ill at ease only refers to emotional or social discomfort.
❌ Don’t say: “I have a headache, so I am ill at ease.” (Use “under the weather” instead.)
✅ Do say: “I felt ill at ease because I had never given a speech before.” (Correct use for nervousness.)
Practice Tip
When you enter a new social group or gathering, observe how others act. If you start to feel anxious, you can internally note: “I feel a little ill at ease, but I will stay calm.”Final Note
Excellent work! You now know how to use ill at ease to politely and accurately describe feelings of social nervousness or awkwardness. This is a powerful and polite phrase. Keep using this phrase to describe those feelings, and soon you will feel completely at ease speaking English!