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."