cheeks in the air 

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."

cheeks in the air by Prankster November 8, 2016