out of sorts
Irritable, grouchy, as in Don't ask him today—he's out of sorts. This expression also implies that one's poor spirits result from feeling slightly ill. [Early 1600s] The synonym out of humor, on the other hand, used more in Britain than America, simply means “ill-tempered” or “irritable.” [Mid-1600s]
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
How to use out of sorts in a sentence
Priscilla in her interest had forgotten all about being out-of-sorts.
The Girl from the Big Horn Country | Mary Ellen ChaseI know I am sick, that I am irritable and out-of-sorts sometimes.
Those Times And These | Irvin S. Cobb"A little out-of-sorts," she answered, dropping her eyes before his gaze.
The Quiver 12/1899 | AnonymousAny one could see that she was rather out-of-sorts, excited and reckless and all that.
The Beauty | Mrs. Wilson WoodrowWhen Clint's final recitation of the day was over at three he was out-of-sorts and depressed.
Left Tackle Thayer | Ralph Henry Barbour
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