in the air

Thân thiện

Christmas was in the air as the family decorated their tree.

Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Being discussed or considered by many people; a feeling or idea that is widespread or perceptible: This phrase describes a topic, mood, or sense that is currently prominent in people's thoughts or conversations, or a tangible atmosphere that seems to fill a place.

Usage

• This adverbial phrase is used to indicate that something intangible, like an idea, mood, or anticipation, is currently prevalent or felt by many.
• It often describes a general feeling or topic of discussion that is not confined to one person but is shared within a group or environment.

Examples

• Adverb:
  • Change is in the air; everyone is talking about new company policies. (The topic of change is being widely discussed.)
  • You could tell romance was in the air from the way they decorated the room. (A romantic feeling was perceptible in the atmosphere.)
  • With the election coming, a sense of excitement is in the air. (A feeling of excitement is widespread.)

Advanced Usage

• "to have something hanging in the air": for a question, problem, or feeling to remain unresolved or lingering.
  • After the argument, tension was hanging in the air for days. (An unresolved tense feeling persisted.)
• This phrase is often used in literary or descriptive contexts to set a scene or describe a social atmosphere.

Variants and Related Words

• Airborne (adj): carried by or through the air (e.g., ). This is a distinct word referring to physical particles, not a mood.
• Ambient (adj): relating to the immediate surroundings, often used for things like light or sound (e.g., ). It can describe a physical atmosphere but not specifically a shared idea.

Synonyms

• Prevalent: widespread in a particular area or at a particular time.
• Ubiquitous: present, appearing, or found everywhere.
• Palpable: (of a feeling or atmosphere) so intense as to seem almost tangible.

Related Phrases

• In the wind: suggested or rumored to be happening; similar to 'in the air' but often implies secretive knowledge or rumors.
  • There are layoffs in the wind. (Rumors of layoffs are circulating.)
• On everyone's lips: being talked about by everyone.
  • The scandal was on everyone's lips. (The scandal was the main topic of conversation.)

Related Idioms

• A breath of fresh air: something new and refreshing.
  • Her innovative ideas were a breath of fresh air. (This idiom is conceptually different, focusing on newness rather than prevalence.)

Học thuật

Adverb

1. on everybody's mind
   • Christmas was in the air

Từ đồng nghĩa

• in everyone's thoughts