How do you say “Up in the air” in French?
The closest natural French equivalent is Être encore en suspens, which literally means “To be still in suspension”. English speakers use up in the air to mean a plan or decision is not yet settled or confirmed. Natural for unresolved plans and decisions, with a slightly more formal feel than the English. It is neutral and common in everyday French.
Closest natural French
Être encore en suspens
/ɛtʁ ɑ̃.kɔʁ ɑ̃ sys.pɑ̃/
- Literal meaning
- “To be still in suspension”
- Register
- neutral
- How often it's used
- common
- Equivalence
Near-exact equivalent
94 out of 100
What a native French speaker would actually say
Both expressions keep something suspended rather than settled. The French phrase makes the unresolved status clear.
It works well in work conversations and writing. For a casual question about dates, “pas encore fixé” is often simpler.
How close is the meaning?
- Meaning5 out of 5
- Tone4 out of 5
- Context5 out of 5
- Literal similarity4 out of 5
These ratings are editorial approximations, not measurements.
What are other ways to say it in French?
Ne pas encore être fixé
Literally: “To not yet be fixed”
Useful for a date or detail awaiting confirmation.
Rester à décider
Literally: “To remain to be decided”
A direct choice when a decision still needs making.
Don't translate it literally
Être en l’air
On its own, this can suggest being physically in the air rather than awaiting a decision.
Word-for-word versions like these are understood as literal statements in French, not as expressions.
In context
English
Our holiday plans are still up in the air.
French
Nos projets de vacances sont encore en suspens.
English
The date is still up in the air.
French
La date n’est pas encore fixée.
Related expressions
Last reviewed 2026-09-12