hot air

noun

, Informal.

1. empty, exaggerated, or pretentious talk or writing:

   His report on the company's progress was just so much hot air.

hot air

noun

1. informal.
   empty and usually boastful talk

Word History and Origins

Origin of hot air¹

1835–45 for literal sense

Idioms and Phrases

Empty, exaggerated talk, as in That last speech of his was pure hot air . It is also put as full of hot air , as in Pay no attention to Howard—he's full of hot air . This metaphoric term transfers heated air to vaporous talk. [Late 1800s]