hot air

American  

noun

Informal.

1. empty, exaggerated, or pretentious talk or writing.

   His report on the company's progress was just so much hot air.

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hot air British  

noun

1. informal empty and usually boastful talk

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hot air Idioms  

1. Empty, exaggerated talk, as in That last speech of his was pure hot air. It is also put as full of hot air, as in Pay no attention to Howard—he's full of hot air. This metaphoric term transfers heated air to vaporous talk. [Late 1800s]

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Etymology

Origin of hot air

1835–45 for literal sense

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hot air

When hot air balloons emerged in the 19th century, courts attached a strict liability standard.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 22, 2026

The UK will see a quick burst of summer-like weather this weekend as hot air gripping central and southern Europe spreads northward.

From BBC ● Sep. 5, 2026

Drainages are natural low-lying areas of land that can gather hot air and smoke and then generate intense drafts that drive a fire uphill with dangerous speeds.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 11, 2026

Fridges are working in overdrive to keep produce cool, shutters are being pulled down to keep the hot air at bay, and some goods are being taken off the shelves on the hottest days.

From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026

They cowered underneath the trees, down in the cooler dirt, as hot air blasted all around them.

From "Mountain of Fire" by Rebecca E. F. Barone

Related Words

• wind