Meaning of out of sorts

English as a Second Language English Teacher Explanations (ESL Tests)
1

Test No. [color=blue]incompl/inter-93 “Hotchpotch”, question 3

I didn’t think he looked very well when we last saw him - in fact he was really out of ….

(a) order
(b) form
(c) sorts
(d) trend

Test No. [color=blue]incompl/inter-93 “Hotchpotch”, answer 3

I didn’t think he looked very well when we last saw him - in fact he was really out of sorts.

Correct answer: (c) sorts

Your answer was: [color=red]incorrect
I didn’t think he looked very well when we last saw him - in fact he was really out of form.
[size=200]_________________________[/size]

So, does this mean “sick”?

2

If you are out of sorts, you are unhappy or unsatisfied with something.[YSaerTTEW443543]

TOEFL listening discussions: Why is the man taking this course?[YSaerTTEW443543]

3

Unhappy or [color=red]satisfied

4

Hi,

I felt that if he didn’t look very well (not very healthy) then he was out of form (physically unwell) would be closer in meaning to the former. Why b) is wrong?

haihao

5

Hi,

I don’t know the phrase ‘out of form’. The expression ‘out of sorts’ is the accepted one suggesting that there is something wrong with you but it isn’t very serious.

A

6

Why “out of order” can’t be used here?

thanks.

7

Hi,

‘Out of order’ refers to things like machines and means they do not work. You could go to a ticket machine to pay for your car park and there would be a notice with the words: ‘Out of order’ and that means you can’t use that machine because it’s broken.

Alan

8

Hi,

Why “out of trend” is incorrect?
“He didn’t look well” means he was sick or he wore badly?

Thanks.

9

Hi,

‘He didn’t look well’ suggests that he appeared to be ill/sick. ‘Out of trend’ is not a regular expression. The only expression near to this is ‘out of fashion’, which means no longer fashionable.

Alan