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]

Example Sentences

“Thank you—well, I have only just gotten home myself. And I confess, I have grown weary of train schedules and troikas, seasickness and hot air balloons.”

Read more on Literature

“For now it’s just hot air,” said Péria-Peigné, referring to Macron’s announcement.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Goat, hippo and duck-shaped hot air balloons floated in clear blue skies over war-ravaged Myanmar this week in a rare opportunity for escapism.

Read more on Barron's

To overcome these limitations, engineers have long relied on nickel-based superalloys for parts that must withstand hot air or combustion gases.

Read more on Science Daily

All the hot air emanating from the politicians on Capitol Hill was nowhere to be found.

Read more on Salon

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