meds, on or off

firejuggler · 2019-02-26, 23:25

well , when someone is acing differently than the usual, that person is off or on his meds?

ATH · 2019-02-27, 00:04

"his meds" implies he is usually taking meds, so if he changed behavior he must now be off the meds?

Dr Sardonicus · 2019-02-27, 13:22

The usage of "off his (or her) meds" is usually idiomatic, meaning he or she is exhibiting uncharacteristic, strange, bizarre, temperamental, or uncontrolled behavior. It also has the literal meaning of "not taking his (or her) prescription medications." In this regard, the phrase may indicate the cessation of undesirable effects of the drugs, e.g. inability to think clearly or lack of "get-up and go." It generally has the connotation that the "meds" are those prescribed to ameliorate the symptoms of mental disorders.

View Poll Results: When someone behave differently than his usual character is s/he
off his meds	3	42.86%
on meds	1	14.29%
neither (just normal variance)	1	14.29%
Insufficient data to respond properly	2	28.57%
Voters: 7. You may not vote on this poll

2019-02-26, 23:25	#1
firejuggler Apr 2010 Over the rainbow 2³×5²×13 Posts	meds, on or off well , when someone is acing differently than the usual, that person is off or on his meds?

2019-02-27, 00:04	#2
ATH Einyen Dec 2003 Denmark 3⁵×13 Posts	"his meds" implies he is usually taking meds, so if he changed behavior he must now be off the meds?

2019-02-27, 13:22	#3
Dr Sardonicus Feb 2017 Nowhere 4643₁₀ Posts	The usage of "off his (or her) meds" is usually idiomatic, meaning he or she is exhibiting uncharacteristic, strange, bizarre, temperamental, or uncontrolled behavior. It also has the literal meaning of "not taking his (or her) prescription medications." In this regard, the phrase may indicate the cessation of undesirable effects of the drugs, e.g. inability to think clearly or lack of "get-up and go." It generally has the connotation that the "meds" are those prescribed to ameliorate the symptoms of mental disorders.