airing someone

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/ˈɛərɪŋ ˈsʌmwʌn/
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A phrase that can mean either to deliberately ignore someone's messages, especially online, or to make private information about a person public.
Practice using this word in conversation

Examples

  • I felt ignored when she aired my messages.
  • The documentary airing someone's private life without consent caused outrage.
  • She accused the magazine of airing someone's secrets.
  • The interview airing someone's past mistakes sparked debate.
  • Why are you airing me? I just asked a question.

Similar words

brush off
reveal
shun
ghost
unveil
publicize
broadcast
expose
disclose
ignore

Meanings

Ignore messages online

technology
informal
To deliberately not respond to someone's messages or attempts at contact, especially in digital chat.

Usage

Use airing someone for the ignoring sense in informal online conversations.

Examples

  • She airing me after I sent that meme.
  • He aired me for weeks before finally replying.
  • They keep airing me whenever I post a story.
  • I felt ignored when she aired my messages.
  • Why are you airing me? I just asked a question.
  • The group aired me after I changed the plan.
  • My friend airing me on Snapchat, so I stopped texting.

Common mistakes

The phrase is often taken literally or mixed with the exposing sense.
IncorrectCorrect
I was airing someone by opening the window. I was airing the room by opening the window.
She airing me because she likes the sound. She is airing me because she ignores my messages.
He airing someone's secrets to the group. He aired someone's secrets to the group.

Similar words

ghost
snub
brush off
shun
ignore
cold shoulder

Make private information public

media
neutral
To publicly reveal or discuss a person's private matters, often in a way that draws attention.

Usage

Use airing someone for the exposing sense when talking about making personal details public.

Examples

  • The tabloid airing someone's scandal made headlines.
  • The documentary airing someone's private life without consent caused outrage.
  • She accused the magazine of airing someone's secrets.
  • The interview airing someone's past mistakes sparked debate.
  • By airing someone's story, the podcast drew many listeners.
  • The court warned against airing someone's testimony publicly.
  • His memoir airing someone's hidden affairs surprised the family.

Common mistakes

People often swap words or use the idiom for the ignoring sense.
IncorrectCorrect
The news airing someone's scandal was shocking. The news aired someone's scandal was shocking.
He was airing someone because he didn't want to talk. He was airing someone's private matters.
They airing the story, not airing someone. They are airing the story, not airing someone.

Similar words

expose
reveal
publicize
disclose
broadcast
unveil

Usage

Use airing someone for the ignoring sense in informal digital chats, and for the exposing sense when discussing public disclosure of private matters.

Common mistakes

Using airing someone to describe giving fresh air to a person is a mistake.

Etymology

From the verb air meaning to expose to air (c. 1600), the slang sense of ignoring someone emerged in British online culture in the 2010s and spread through TikTok.

FAQ

What does airing someone mean in chat?

It means ignoring the person’s messages or not replying.

Can airing someone be used to talk about public disclosure?

Yes, it can refer to making a person’s private matters public.

Where did the ignoring sense of airing someone come from?

It originated in British online slang in the 2010s and spread via TikTok.

Is airing someone appropriate in formal writing?

It is informal and best kept to casual digital conversations.

How is airing someone different from ghosting?

Ghosting usually means cutting off all contact, while airing someone emphasizes the act of not responding.

Can I say airing someone about their mistake?

For the exposing sense you can, but for ignoring you should not use it that way.

What is a common mistake when using airing someone?

People often use it to mean giving fresh air, which is incorrect.

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