   Bad OffIn Southern and Appalachian speech, "bad off" means in very poor condition-often seriously ill, but also used for hard times (money, work, or circumstances). #SouthernSayings #Appalachia #PeopleandRelationships #DialectandGrammar #Southern #BodyandHealth synonyms: real sick, in a bad way, poorly, hard up, in rough shape Hillbilly Dude Says...  When the flu hit our road, folks said Miss Dora was bad off. Around here that means she wasn’t just sick-she was laid low. Hillbilly Dude Says... When the flu hit our road, folks said Miss Dora was bad off. Around here that means she wasn’t just sick-she was laid low. Pronunciation[BAD off] /bæd ɔːf/ Meaning & Usage- Seriously ill / in poor health (phrase)
Clara:
How’s your uncle doin’?
Elmer:
Not good. He’s bad off with pneumonia.- In difficult circumstances (phrase)
Estel:
Since the plant shut down, they’re bad off-scrapin’ by on odd jobs.Origin and EtymologyAttested in American English by the 19th century as a set phrase meaning "in a poor state." The construction persisted strongly in Southern and Appalachian speech, where it’s commonly used for both sickness and hardship. Usage Notes
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