in the air
Idioms-
In addition to the following idiom, also see castles in the air; leave hanging (in the air); nose in the air; up in the air.
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In circulation, in people's thoughts. For example, There's a rumor in the air that they're closing , or Christmas is in the air . [Second half of 1800s] Also see in the wind .
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See up in the air . [Mid-1700s]
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Customers in the air are a highly valuable audience—highly engaged, highly attractable,” said Stephanie Laster, managing director of onboard experience at Delta.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 7, 2026
Public health officials say the virus can remain in the air and on surfaces for many hours, even after an infected person has left.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026
Wangchuk insists change is in the air in India.
From BBC ● Aug. 5, 2026
Over the following days, explosions rang in the air while the ship's navigation system stopped working.
From Barron's ● Aug. 4, 2026
I put my head in the air so Celia wouldn’t think I was afraid and sailed inside in back of the other two.
From "Nory Ryan’s Song" by Patricia Reilly Giff
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
