# air sandwich

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/air-sandwich
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A strategy that has high-level direction and low-level operations, but little in the middle.

## Examples

- The project is just an air sandwich with no real plan.
- The manager gave us a grand vision, but the project remains an air sandwich because we lack the middle management to execute it.
- While the executive team articulated a bold strategy, the operational void rendered the entire initiative an air sandwich, leaving the staff without the necessary guidance to achieve the stated goals.

## Origin

(business strategy): Coined by Nilofer Merchant.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.