up in the air

up in the air is an idiom used by many writers. When idioms are used in the right place, they open the doors of effective communication and increase your descriptive power. In this way, you will be better understood. The meaning of the expression up in the air is also remarkable in this respect.

Meaning of "up in the air"

Meaning

The idiom “up in the air” is used to describe a situation that is uncertain or undecided, typically with regards to a plan or schedule. It is used to indicate that a plan or decision is uncertain and has not been finalized.

Etymology

It is believed that the phrase “up in the air” originated in the early twentieth century, though there is no certain record of its precise origin. One possible explanation of its roots is that the phrase was first used to describe a situation in which something is physically in the sky, as in a plane or a kite, and therefore out of reach or uncertain.

Usage

The phrase “up in the air” is commonly used in everyday speech and typically implies a temporary situation. It is usually used to describe a situation that is subject to change or is likely to be resolved soon. It also implies a situation that is dependent on other, often unforeseen, factors. The phrase is used to refer to plans or decisions that are not certain, and that may not yet have been finalized.

Example Sentences

• We don’t have any plans for the weekend yet - it’s all still up in the air.
• The fate of the project is still up in the air - we’re not sure if it will be approved or not.
• The party is up in the air - we’re not sure if we’re going to have it or not.
• The future of the team is still up in the air - it’s not clear whether they’ll stay in the league or not.
• The election results are still up in the air - we won’t know the outcome until later in the day.

The power of idioms transcends languages!

"Putting the cart before the horse" is an English idiom that means doing things in the wrong order. In Russian, the similar idiom is "Кладёт колесо впереди лошади," which translates to "Putting the cart before the horse." This idiom emphasizes the idea that doing things in the wrong order can lead to confusion and problems down the line.