“Full of hot air” is a slang term used to describe someone who talks excessively about topics they don’t understand. The term originates from the expansion of heated air, which is exploited in hot air balloons. It is used to describe exaggerations, empty talk, and obvious hyperbole, often associated with politicians and bombastic individuals. Plans, ideas, and organizations can also be described as “hot air,” suggesting a lack of substance or understanding.
When someone is said to be “full of hot air,” it means they talk a lot about topics they don’t really understand. This slang term has its origins in the United States and appears to date back to the late 1800s. In addition to being “full,” something can be referred to simply as “hot air,” a shorthand reference to the longer saying. As a general rule, when you’re accused of this, it’s not a compliment.
To understand the meaning of this phrase, you simply need to know that when air heats up, it expands. This feature is exploited to do a wide variety of things, including filling hot air balloons. In the case of a hot air balloon, the air becomes lighter than its surroundings, allowing the balloon to float, so one could imagine someone so full of hot air that they simply float away. Or, more simply, the speech of one like this tends to fill a space quickly, without offering much in the way of substance.
This term is used to describe exaggerations, empty talk, and obvious hyperbole. The implication is that the speaker is speaking only to hear his own voice; fill the space with warm air, in other words. Typically, someone who is full of hot air will gleefully discuss complicated topics without fully understanding them, which can be a topic of amusement for more knowledgeable people.
Politicians in particular are often accused of being full of hot air, making empty promises that, in fact, they cannot keep. Many politicians take great pains to counter this classic image by pointing to previous activities they have orchestrated or participated in, trying to show that they actually know what they are talking about. The term can also be used more generally to describe bombastic and pushy individuals who insist on being heard in any group or meeting, whether their opinions are helpful or not.
You may also hear a plan or idea called “hot air,” as well as hearing the term in reference to people. The term is also sometimes used to describe organizations, suggesting that the leaders of the organization aren’t really sure what they are doing and that, as a result, their plans or schemes are likely to end up failing.
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