One of your
employees looks sick. You ask her why she came to work, and she says that she
has a lot of work to do. You'd rather she go home so that she doesn't make
other people sick. You say this.
If
you're feeling under the weather, by all means go home and get some rest.
It might seem a
little mysterious why the speaker uses "If you're feeling" instead of
"If you feel..." in this sentence. When people are talking about
someone's health, it's common to use the progressive form ("feeling")
instead:
How are you feeling?
I'm feeling a lot better lately.
(someone) feels under
the weather
"Feeling
under the weather" means that you feel sick. This phrase usually describes
someone with cold or flu symptoms.
When you
introduce a suggestion with "by all means", it shows that you really
think that the listener should take your suggestion. It's a way of showing that
you're serious about what you're saying:
A: Can I sit and watch you work for a
few minutes?
B: By all means.
People use
"by all means" in arguments as well:
A: I've had enough of you! I don't have
to put up with this, you know.
B: If you want to leave, by all means,
go right ahead.
Another way to
explain "by all means" is that it's like saying "Don't
hesitate."
People say this
to sick people.