Reader question: What is the best answer to the following multiple-choice question, and, precisely, what does "hot air" mean?
You know what they're like. They just talked a lot of hot air -- means: ..........
(a) unclear sentences
(b) empty promises
(c) indefinite plans
(d) powerful words
My comments:
The closest and therefore correct answer is (b), empty promises.
"Hot air" refers to the breath one lets out as they speak. When we point out what they say is "a lot of hot air" – think about a hot-air balloon – we mean to say it's all empty talk.
If promises are "a lot of hot air", don't believe them.
Sometimes boastful remarks are referred to as "a lot of hot air", that means they are bragging to impress people – don't take them seriously.
Also common is the phrase "he's full of hot air".
I'm too straightforward this time, I am afraid. Perhaps I should have beat about the bush a bit before giving the answer. But the genie is out. I have no way of putting it back into the bottle.
So, that is that. Now let us examine some real examples from the media.
By the way, the US election is coming down to the final stretch and make sure you tune in to US candidates in particular and politicians in general for "hot air" – there's gallons and barrels of it produced daily because, unlike oil, it's cheap.
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