What Does "up in the air" Mean?
- Idiomatic meaning: When a situation or plan is "up in the air," it is uncertain, unresolved, or undecided. It suggests that while a topic has been raised, it has not yet "landed" on a firm conclusion or final arrangement.
- Origin or etymology: The phrase dates back to the mid-20th century and draws on the imagery of an object (like a coin or a ball) tossed into the sky. While it is in flight, the outcome is unknown; only when it lands does the result become fixed.
- Register: This expression is neutral to informal. It is perfectly acceptable in professional emails and news reporting, as well as in casual conversation.
How to Use It
- Grammatical flexibility: It is most commonly used with the verb "to be" (e.g., "It is up in the air"). It can be modified by adverbs like "still," "all," or "entirely" to emphasize the degree of uncertainty. It can also be negated: "The schedule is no longer up in the air."
- What sounds unnatural: Avoid using it for things that are physically high up unless you intend a literal description. Using it to describe a person's emotional state (e.g., "I am up in the air today") is incorrect; it should only describe situations, plans, or decisions.
Real-World Examples
These examples are sourced from up in the air on Ludwig.guru.
"Everything is up in the air." — nytimes.com
"Honestly, it's up in the air." — washingtonpost.com
"Other situations remain up in the air." — nytimes.com
"It's still up in the air"." — nytimes.com
"The fabric billowed up in the air." — nytimes.com
Similar Phrases and Alternatives
| Phrase |
Context |
| undecided |
A more formal, direct way to state that a choice hasn't been made. |
| on the fence |
Used when a specific person is struggling to choose between two options. |
| hanging in the balance |
More dramatic; used for critical situations with high stakes. |
| tba |
An abbreviation for "to be announced," common in professional scheduling. |
| in limbo |
Suggests a state of being stuck or forgotten while waiting for a decision. |
| unsettled |
Neutral; often used for legal, financial, or political situations. |
Common Mistakes
- Literal misinterpretation: In most contexts, this is an idiom for uncertainty. However, as seen in the examples, it can be used literally (e.g., "billowed up in the air"), so context is key to avoiding confusion.
- Preposition confusion: Learners often use the wrong preposition, saying 'on the air' (which refers to broadcasting) instead of 'up in the air'.
- Modification errors: Avoid saying "very up in the air." Instead, use "entirely" or "completely" to add emphasis.
Quick-Reference Summary
| Expression |
Idiomatic Meaning |
Register |
Avoid In |
| up in the air |
Uncertain or undecided |
Neutral / Informal |
Highly technical or legal documents |
FAQs
Is up in the air ever used literally or is it always figurative
While usually figurative, the phrase is occasionally used literally to describe objects physically moving upward, such as fabric billowing or a ball being thrown. You must look at the subject of the sentence to determine if it refers to a physical position or a state of uncertainty.
What is the difference between up in the air and on the fence
While both involve uncertainty, up in the air usually describes a situation or plan that is unresolved for everyone involved. In contrast, on the fence specifically describes an individual who is unable or unwilling to make a personal choice between two options.
Can I say a program is on the air if the schedule is uncertain
No, because on the air specifically refers to being broadcast on radio or television. If a schedule is uncertain, you must use up in the air to avoid a preposition error that would change the meaning of your sentence entirely.