under the influence

English

Etymology

Elliptical: the agent (any intoxicating substance) is implicit because understood in context.

Pronunciation

  • Audio (General Australian):(file)

Adverb

under the influence (comparative more under the influence, superlative most under the influence)

  1. (idiomatic) While intoxicated or inebriated, in any degree from mildly impaired to stupefied, by a mind-altering substance, typically alcohol; thus, especially, drunk.
    He was arrested for driving under the influence.
    He was fired for showing up under the influence.

Derived terms

Adjective

under the influence (comparative more under the influence, superlative most under the influence)

  1. (idiomatic) Intoxicated or inebriated, in any degree from mildly impaired to stupefied, by a mind-altering substance, typically alcohol; thus, especially, drunk.
    Hyponyms: buzzed, feeling no pain; half-baked; three sheets to the wind; baked; see also Thesaurus:drunk
    He was arrested for driving while under the influence.
    He was fired for showing up when he was under the influence.

Translations

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