in the air

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:

     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 generally prevailing feeling, idea, atmosphere, or mood.
   • 1902, Robert Marshall Grade, The Haunted Major

     Polo was nothing if golf were in the air!

   • 1981, Phil Collins, “In The Air Tonight”, in Face Value‎:

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

   • 2021 September 16, Maher, Bill, Bill Maher on Getting Anger from Both Sides, Our Divided Country & Norm Macdonald’s Passing‎, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, 7:52 from the start:

     MAHER: Well, whatever. I just said we shouldn't have two national anthems. We're one country. It's not a good idea. We've seen what happens in other countries where you have, you know- when you separate things out. That's never where America was. That's never where liberalism was. It was about being a colorblind society. So, a new national anthem? Fine. I'll go for that. But not two. Because that leads down a road we don't wanna go. Applause.
     KIMMEL: Do you feel like...
     MAHER: Thank you.
     KIMMEL: Hey there's a lot of fear in the air and generally, you don't want to be caught applauding something that might be controversial.
     MAHER: I couldn't give a fuck.
     KIMMEL: I wasn't talking about you.

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

   The army had its wing in the air.

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