THE IDIOM COLLECTION LEARN & PRACTISE
Up in the air
Understand the meaning. See it in context. Make it yours.
01 / UNDERSTAND
Meaning in plain English
Uncertain or undecided.
Usage note: keep in mind
Up in the air means that a plan, outcome or arrangement is still unsettled. It often follows be or remain. Compare on the fence, which usually describes an undecided person. A booking can be up in the air even when everyone wants the trip.
02 / SEE IT IN CONTEXT
The expression in a sentence
- Our holiday plans are still up in the air because of the weather.
03 / CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
Quick idiom quiz
Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.
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Can you recall the expression?
Complete the example using the expression from this lesson.
Our holiday plans are still ________ because of the weather.
Show the answer
Up in the air — Uncertain or undecided.
Try your own sentence (optional)
Make it yours
Write one sentence using “Up in the air” about your own life.
Check your sentence
Does your sentence match this meaning?
Uncertain or undecided.
Compare: Our holiday plans are still up in the air because of the weather.
Check the spelling and how the expression fits the sentence. Your example can be different.
Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.
This quiz is for practice. To save lesson completion on this device, complete the checks in the app.
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More ways to understand and use it
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More examples in context
- Our travel dates are still up in the air because the venue hasn't confirmed the event.
- The future of the project remained up in the air after the meeting.
Check your understanding
Complete: 'We all want to travel, but the departure date is still ___.'
Check your answer
Up in the air. The arrangement is unresolved; the sentence does not say that the people are undecided about wanting to travel.
Use it in your own words
Write one new situation where up in the air fits. Explain the situation in plain English first, then rewrite it using the expression. Check that the tone and meaning suit your audience.