v. When a person, typically a male youth, overcompensates for low socioeconomic status by listening to hard rock or
rap and getting tattoos, attempting to portray himself as an alpha male, when in fact he is subservient in the business world due to his poor
education and low IQ. He is, in essence, socially and economically subservient, despite his outward rebellion. Hence the phrase: his cheeks are in the
air.
Bob: "That dude is always trying to act
hard, but he's stuck in this fast food joint working for the man with his cheeks in the
air."
Jeremy: "True dat,
homie. Word."