Uncertain, undecided, or not yet settled; lacking definite plans or resolution.
This phrase draws from the literal image of something suspended in air without solid ground support, suggesting instability and lack of foundation. First appearing in the early 20th century, it evolved from earlier expressions about things being 'in the air' meaning uncertain or unsettled.
The phrase perfectly captures the anxiety of uncertainty through a physical metaphor - there's something inherently unsettling about objects that should be grounded floating without support. Aviation metaphors became increasingly common in English during the early days of flight, when being airborne was still novel and somewhat precarious.
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