from thin air

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "from thin air" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that has seemingly appeared out of nowhere, or that has been created seemingly out of nothing. For example, you could say, "He suddenly produced a winning lottery ticket out of thin air!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It builds meaning from thin air.

The New York Times

Shirley materialises from thin air.

The Guardian - Music

"Starting one up from thin air?

The New York Times

The megadeals seemed to emerge from thin air.

The New York Times

But Tolkien did not conjure the scene from thin air.

The Guardian - Books

McCain did not conjure this idea from thin air.

The New York Times - Magazine

This model is not drawn from thin air.

The Guardian

The ratio was not plucked from thin air.

The Guardian

In the Dome's case, the initial figure of 12m was apparently plucked from thin air.

The Economist

In Morningside Park, the turtles in the pond seem to materialize from thin air to bask.

The New York Times

Sufferers from duodenal ulcers would find Him operating on them, materialising the instruments from thin air.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "from thin air" to emphasize the surprising or inexplicable nature of something's creation or appearance. It adds a sense of wonder or disbelief to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "from thin air" when something has a clear, even if complex, origin. The phrase is best reserved for situations where the source is genuinely mysterious or seemingly non-existent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "from thin air" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying verbs or clauses to describe how something appears, is created, or originates. As Ludwig AI explains, it suggests something arising seemingly out of nowhere. It emphasizes the unexpected or inexplicable nature of the event.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "from thin air" is a common and grammatically sound idiom used to describe something that appears unexpectedly or is created without any apparent source. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely employed, particularly in news and media contexts, to express surprise or disbelief. While generally neutral in tone, more formal settings might benefit from alternative phrasing. The phrase implies a sense of wonder or inexplicability, emphasizing the lack of a visible origin. Understanding its nuances and appropriate usage helps enhance clarity and impact in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

out of nothing

Directly implies creation or appearance from a state of non-existence.

from nothingness

Emphasizes the complete absence of pre-existing elements.

out of nowhere

This alternative suggests something appearing suddenly and unexpectedly.

ex nihilo

This phrase, Latin for "from nothing", implies creation from a complete void.

out of the blue

This suggests something happening unexpectedly, without warning.

from scratch

This implies something being built or created from basic elements, without pre-existing materials.

without foundation

This indicates something lacking a solid basis or support.

without substance

This suggests something lacking real content or meaning.

by magic

Suggests an inexplicable or supernatural appearance.

spontaneously

Implies something arising naturally and without external cause.

FAQs

How can I use "from thin air" in a sentence?

You can use "from thin air" to describe something that appears unexpectedly or is created seemingly out of nothing. For example, "The magician produced a rabbit "from thin air"".

What does "from thin air" mean?

The phrase "from thin air" means something appears or is created as if by magic, without any apparent source or origin. It implies a sense of surprise or inexplicability.

What are some synonyms for "from thin air"?

Some synonyms for "from thin air" include "out of nowhere", "ex nihilo", and "out of the blue". Each carries a slightly different nuance of unexpected appearance or creation.

Is it appropriate to use "from thin air" in formal writing?

While "from thin air" is widely understood, it can sound informal. In formal writing, consider alternatives like "ex nihilo" or rephrasing to emphasize the lack of apparent origin without using the idiom.