in the air

See also: up in the air

English

Prepositional phrase

in the air

1. In the surrounding ambience.

   As soon as we entered we could feel the excitement and tension in the air.

   • 2007 November 3, David Thomson, “Music in the air”, in The Guardian‎^[1]:

     You may not know La Baule. Think of it as Bognor Regis. Now, you may have spent half your life there, but I do not believe you ever heard Beethoven playing in the air.

2. In the global feeling, idea, atmosphere, or mood of the time.
   • 1981, Phil Collins, “In The Air Tonight”, in Face Value‎^[2]:

     I can feel it coming in the air tonight, oh Lord.

3. Prevalent without traceable origin or authority.

   There was a rumour about them in the air.

4. Not in a fixed or stable position; unsettled; up in the air.

   China plans to create snow there and block streams to increase the amount of water in the air, which slows melting.

   Audio (US):

   (file)

5. (military) Unsupported and liable to be turned or taken in flank.

   The army had its wing in the air.

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