Up in the air
Meaning
If something is "up in the air," it means it is unresolved, uncertain, or still being decided.
Origin
The phrase 'up in the air' draws its vivid imagery from the simple, everyday act of throwing an object aloft. When a ball is tossed into the sky, its trajectory is uncertain until gravity pulls it back down to a definite spot. It is suspended, not yet settled, its final destination unknown until it lands. This straightforward physical reality became a powerful metaphor in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, describing plans, decisions, or situations that were similarly suspended—unresolved, undecided, and hanging in a state of uncertainty, much like an object soaring above the ground.
Examples
- The plans for our summer vacation are still up in the air because we haven't booked flights yet.
- With the merger negotiations still ongoing, the future of many employees remains up in the air.