How do you say “Up in the air” in German?
The closest natural German equivalent is Noch offen sein, which literally means “To be still open”. English speakers use up in the air to mean a plan or decision is not yet settled or confirmed. A natural everyday choice for a decision or plan that has not been settled. It is neutral and common in everyday German.
Closest natural German
Noch offen sein
/nɔx ˈɔfn̩ zaɪn/
- Literal meaning
- “To be still open”
- Register
- neutral
- How often it's used
- common
- Equivalence
Near-exact equivalent
91 out of 100
What a native German speaker would actually say
English leaves a plan floating above the ground. German can simply leave the decision open.
“Noch offen” is calm and practical. “In der Schwebe” keeps an image of suspension and can suggest waiting for a resolution.
How close is the meaning?
- Meaning5 out of 5
- Tone4 out of 5
- Context5 out of 5
- Literal similarity1 out of 5
These ratings are editorial approximations, not measurements.
What are other ways to say it in German?
Noch nicht feststehen
Literally: “To not yet stand firm”
Use when a date or outcome is not confirmed.
In der Schwebe sein
Literally: “To be in suspension”
An idiomatic option for an unresolved matter.
Don't translate it literally
Oben in der Luft sein
This normally suggests physical location rather than an undecided plan.
Word-for-word versions like these are understood as literal statements in German, not as expressions.
In context
English
Our holiday plans are still up in the air.
German
Unsere Urlaubspläne sind noch offen.
English
The date is still up in the air.
German
Der Termin steht noch nicht fest.
Related expressions
Last reviewed 2026-09-12