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."