Up in the air

Meaning

The idiom "up in the air" is a figurative expression used to describe something that has not yet been decided or determined, or something that is uncertain or unclear. It can also be used to refer to a situation that is being deliberated upon or discussed. The phrase originates from the idea of a plane flying in the sky, which is an image often associated with the uncertainty and ambiguity of the future.

Usage

• "The fate of the project is still up in the air, as the team hasn't come to a decision yet."
• "I don't know if I'll be able to travel for work next week; it all depends on what happens with my visa application."
• "We haven't received any information from the government about the new tax bill, so everything is up in the air right now."
• "The outcome of the election is still uncertain; nothing has been decided yet."
• "I'm not sure how this meeting will go; we haven't discussed the agenda or prepared for it at all."

Roots and History

The phrase "up in the air" dates back to the early 20th century, with its first recorded use appearing in a collection of American sayings in 1917. However, it is unclear where the idiom originally came from, as there are many theories about its origins. Some believe that it was inspired by the uncertainty and instability of the financial market during the stock market crash of 1929. Others think that it may have been influenced by the vagueness of scientific theories or the unpredictable nature of weather patterns.

Synonyms in English

• In limbo
• Indecisive
• Unclear
• Undetermined
• Fluid

Synonyms in other languages

• En suspenso (Spanish)
• Auf stande (German)
• 未定 (Japanese)
• אין נישט מסועה לדאתן (Hebrew)
• نאהשנים (Icelandic)

Similar Idioms

• upper hand

• under siege

• under a cloud