up-in-the-air
/ˌʌp ɪn ðiː ˈeə/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
If something is up in the air, it is not decided yet. People are still thinking about it, so the final result may change.
- Our travel plans are still up in the air.
- The meeting date is up in the air.
- Her job offer is up in the air.
Adinary Nuance
Up-in-the-air means uncertain or not yet decided. It is different from 'unclear', which can mean hard to understand, and from 'temporary', which means it will change later but is currently settled. Writers use 'up in the air' for plans, decisions, and outcomes that are still open.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- chưa rõ
- Spanish
- en el aire
- Chinese
- 悬而未决
- Japanese
- 未定の
- Korean
- 미정의
Etymology
This phrase comes from the idea of something being lifted off the ground, so it is not fixed in one place. It has been used in English since the early 1900s.
Common phrases
up in the airkeep it up in the airleave it up in the air
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is up in the air formal or informal?
- It is neutral and common in speaking and writing.
- Can I use up in the air for plans?
- Yes. It is very common for plans, jobs, dates, and decisions.
- Is up in the air the same as unclear?
- Not exactly. Up in the air means not decided yet, while unclear means not easy to understand.