hot air

noun

Informal.

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

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

hot air

noun

1. informal,  empty and usually boastful talk

Word History and Origins

Origin of hot air¹

1835–45 for literal sense

Idioms and Phrases

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]

Related Words

• wind