in the air
prep. phr..prep. phr.. A feeling or idea that is spreading among people, or a sense that something is about to happen.
prep. phr.. An idiomatic prepositional phrase indicating that a particular feeling, idea, or change is prevalent or imminent, though not yet explicit.
There is a feeling of excitement in the air.
With the final exams over, a sense of relief was in the air as students left the hall.
As the delegates gathered, a palpable tension was in the air, hinting at the difficult negotiations that lay ahead.
Often used with abstract nouns like 'excitement', 'change', 'tension', or 'a feeling'.
Contrast the figurative sense ('change is in the air') with the literal sense ('the birds are in the air') to highlight idiomaticity.
A feeling is on the air.A feeling is in the air.'In the air' means a widespread feeling, while 'on the air' means broadcasting on radio or TV.