out of sorts

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Example Sentences

Have you ever felt sluggish and out of sorts after a long-haul flight or a late-night shift?

From Science Daily

When I visited him in the hospital, where he was pumped full of antibiotics to push back an infection, he was out of sorts and eager to get back to his life and his music.

From Los Angeles Times

Several hours later, feeling out of sorts from lack of sleep, I got out of the minivan in the middle of a rainstorm.

From Salon

Britain's Kyle Kothari finished 11th on his Games debut, above world champion Yang Hao who was out of sorts and came last in the 12-man final.

From BBC

Yet he often feels out of sorts during those moments of sexual intimacy.

From Los Angeles Times