Still up in the air 🌬️⬆️☁️

Meaning

A situation or plan that has not yet been decided or confirmed.

Origin

This phrase conjures images of something tossed into the sky, waiting to see where it lands. Think of a tossed coin, a dropped die, or perhaps a pilot waiting for clearance. Before landing, these objects are suspended, their final destination unknown. This uncertainty, this state of being ungrounded and awaiting a final resolution, is precisely the feeling the idiom captures. It’s the moment before commitment, the pause before the decision is made, leaving all possibilities open.

🗣️ communication ⏳🕰️ time ☠️ risk

Still up in the air represented with emoji🌬️⬆️☁️

This playful arrangement functions as a gentle reminder that some things, much like a gentle breeze lifting a cloud, are simply not yet settled. It invites a dialogue on the beautiful uncertainty of life, capturing the fleeting nature of decisions yet to be made.

Examples

  • We haven't decided on a date for the party yet; it's still up in the air.
  • Whether we'll go to the beach or the mountains for vacation is still up in the air.
  • The fate of the pet unicorn's flying lessons remains still up in the air, much to Bartholomew's dismay.
  • If the mischievous gnome will return the stolen teapot is still up in the air, leaving the tea party in a state of mild panic.

Frequently asked questions

Is 'still up in the air' a proverb or an idiom?

The phrase 'still up in the air' is an idiom, not a proverb. Idioms are phrases where the meaning cannot be deduced from the literal meaning of the words, which is true for 'still up in the air' where it signifies uncertainty about a decision.

What's the opposite of 'still up in the air'?

The opposite of 'still up in the air' is a situation that is decided, confirmed, or settled. Phrases like 'set in stone,' 'a done deal,' or 'decided' convey this sense of finality.

Can 'still up in the air' be used for physical objects?

While the phrase 'still up in the air' conjures images of physical objects suspended, it is almost exclusively used metaphorically. It describes an undecided situation or plan, not a literal object physically hanging in the air.

Is there a famous person credited with coining 'still up in the air'?

There is no single individual credited with coining the phrase 'still up in the air.' Its origin is more likely evolutionary, stemming from the visual metaphor of uncertainty and suspension before a final outcome.

Similar to "Still up in the air"

To be determined
Both capture an unresolved status, but "To be determined" sounds like an official placeholder, usually in more formal or structured contexts where a final decision is expected soon
In limbo
Both describe a state of uncertainty, but "In limbo" carries a stronger sense of being stuck or forgotten, a prolonged and uncomfortable pause
Hanging in the balance
Both express precarious uncertainty, but "Hanging in the balance" often implies a more critical or consequential decision, where the outcome is dramatically in doubt

Opposite of "Still up in the air"

Set in stone
This phrase argues for absolute finality, a stark contrast to the fluidity of "Still up in the air," highlighting the virtue of decisions that cannot be changed or questioned
A done deal
This declares complete certainty and resolution, directly challenging the open-endedness of "Still up in the air" by celebrating the satisfaction of a closed case

Related to "Still up in the air"

On the back burner
This phrase shares the idea of something not being actively pursued, but specifically implies that a decision or action has been intentionally postponed, not necessarily undecided
Under advisement
This suggests that consideration is actively happening, creating a sense of hopeful progress that's absent from the pure indecision of "Still up in the air."
A work in progress
While "Still up in the air" implies a choice hasn't been made, "A work in progress" suggests ongoing development and improvement, where the final form is still evolving rather than undecided
The ball is in your court
This phrase shifts responsibility for moving forward, indicating that while a decision might be pending, the next critical step now rests with someone specific, unlike the general open-endedness of "Still up in the air."