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Up in the air. “Up in the air” is an expression we use when something is undecided or uncertain. Use this when someone in the conversation is asking for—or may be expecting—some certainty, but unfortunately you can’t offer certainty at the time. There are two common uses for “up in the air.”. Pending or undecided.
The phrase "up in the air" means 'undecided' or 'uncertain.' When someone uses "up in the air", they are referring to a situation or decision that has not yet been determined or finalized. It implies that there is a lack of clarity or agreement about the outcome, similar to saying 'we're not sure yet' or 'it's still being discussed.'
Origin: The idiom 'Up in the air' dates back to the 18th century, originating from early aviation and balloon travel. When a balloon was 'up in the air,' its destination and outcome were unpredictable, giving rise to the phrase.
It can also imply a lack of clarity or a state of ambiguity. Example 1: The plans for our summer vacation are still up in the air. We’re trying to decide between going to the beach or visiting a theme park. We haven’t made a final decision yet, so it’s uncertain where we’ll go. Here, the speaker is discussing their family’s summer ...
- What Does The Phrase Up in The Air Mean?
- What Is The Origin of The Phrase Up in The Air?
- What Are Synonyms For The Phrase Up in The Air?
- How Can Up in The Air Be Used in A sentence?
Collins English Dictionarydefines the phrase “up in the air” as meaning something that is still undecided or uncertain, or an unsettled matter that has not been completely planned, settled, or locked in. This informal phrase in both British English and American English can also be used to mean highly agitated or excited, but this is a less common u...
According to The Free Dictionary, this idiom has been used since the mid-1700s as the phrase “in the air.” The “up” was added in the first half of the 1900s. Idioms Onlinestates that the exact origin of the phrase “up in the air” is unknown, but it may stem from or allude to a coin toss, since one would not know the results when the coin is still u...
There are many synonyms for the phrase up in the air, according to Thesaurusand other dictionary apps. These words and phrases are below, with definitions provided by Oxford Languages. 1. Uncertain – Not known, definite, or reliable. 2. Undecided – Not determined, settled, or resolved. 3. Undetermined – Not known, decided, or settled. 4. Tentative ...
The phrase up in the air can be used in a variety of different scenarios in the English language. It is a fairly common phrase, and is used frequently in everyday speech. In this first example, two coworkers are discussing their plans for the holidays. Coworker 1: The family and I are going up the mountains to ski, how about yourself? Coworker 2: I...
Meaning: If a matter is up in the air, no decision has been made and there is uncertainty about it. Country: International English | Subject Area: General | Usage Type: Both or All Words Used. Contributor: Richard Flynn. All idioms have been editorially reviewed, and submitted idioms may have been edited for correctness and completeness.
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Sep 7, 2023 · With 'up in the air,' however, we don't seem to be able to trace the original meaning behind the idiom. However, it's been suggested that it may be referring to the act of tossing a coin to make a decision and not knowing what the outcome is until the coin lands, or in other words, while it's 'up in the air.'
