Vanish into thin air

Definitions

• disappear unexpectedly
  Describe someone or something that disappears suddenly and without a trace

• be unaccounted for
  Refer to the inability to find or locate someone or something that has disappeared

Examples of Vanish into thin air

• The bank robber disappeared without a trace, as if he had vanished into thin air.

  This example is using the idiom "vanish into thin air" to describe how the bank robber suddenly and completely disappeared without leaving any evidence behind. The phrase "as if he had vanished into thin air" emphasizes the suddenness and unexpectedness of the disappearance.

• Sarah's nervousness vanished into thin air as soon as she stepped onto the stage.

  In this example, the idiom is used to illustrate how Sarah's anxiety seemingly disappeared without any apparent cause. After Sarah stepped onto the stage, her nerves seemed to disappear completely, as if she had vanished into thin air.

• The ink from the pen vanished into thin air when placed in water.

  This example is using the idiom in a literal sense, as the actual ink from the pen is disappearing into the water around it. The idiom is used here to vividly demonstrate how completely the ink is disappearing and to create a strong visual image for the reader.

• The sun disappeared behind the skyscrapers, vanishing into thin air.

  This example is using the idiom in a more figurative sense, as the sun's disappearance behind the buildings is not completely unexpected or mysterious. However, by saying the sun "vanished into thin air," the author is emphasizing the suddenness and finality of the sun's disappearance, as if it had completely disappeared from the scene.

• The thief slipped away without a trace, leaving nothing but empty air behind. The police searched the scene thoroughly but couldn't find any evidence of his whereabouts. It was as if he had vanished into thin air.

  In this example, "vanish into thin air" is used to describe the sudden and complete disappearance of the thief, leaving no detectable signs of his presence. The expression "into thin air" emphasizes the implausibility of the thief's disappearance, as if he had dissipated into the very fabric of the universe.

• The stunning explosion caused the building to crumble to the ground, leaving no sign of the secret room that once contained the priceless artifact. It was as though the room had simply ceased to exist, vanished into thin air.

  In this example, "vanish into thin air" is used to describe the mysterious and sudden disappearance of the secret room. The expression underscores the complete and utter desolation of the space, as if the room had been erased from the fabric of reality itself.

• The long-lost letter suddenly turned up in the library, as if it had been retrieved from thin air. No one knew how or why it had been misplaced for so long, but the discovery was a much-needed surprise.

  In this example, "vanish into thin air" is used to describe the inexplicable disappearance and subsequent reappearance of the letter. The expression highlights the inexplicability and unlikelihood of the letter's disappearance and reappearance, as if it had been suspended in the void, waiting to be called back into existence.

• The boy who had been missing for days suddenly appeared in the town square, his face streaked with tears and his clothes torn. No one knew how or where he had been, but it was as if he had materialized out of nowhere, vanished into thin air and then suddenly reappeared.

  In this example, "vanish into thin air" is used to describe the sudden disappearance and equally sudden reappearance of the missing boy. The expression emphasizes the unlikelihood and inexplicability of the boy's disappearance, as if he had been swallowed up by the void and then spit back out, reappearing just as suddenly as he had vanished.

Conclusion

The idiom "vanish into thin air" is often used to describe the sudden and unexplained disappearance of someone or something. It can also convey the idea that someone or something is unaccounted for and cannot be located. This idiom is commonly used in storytelling and everyday conversation to emphasize the mysterious and inexplicable nature of a disappearance.

Origin of "Vanish into thin air"

The origin of the idiom "vanish into thin air" can be traced back to William Shakespeare's play "Othello," where the character Iago says, "It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on." This phrase is often interpreted as a reference to jealousy, which can cause someone or something to disappear without a trace. Over time, the expression evolved to become "vanish into thin air," emphasizing the sudden and complete disappearance of someone or something. This idiom has since become a popular and widely used phrase in the English language, conveying the idea of something disappearing mysteriously and without a trace.