The antonyms for "be on the air" include "be off the air," "be disconnected," "be unplugged," "be silenced," and "be muted." These phrases indicate that communication has been interrupted or stopped altogether. For example, if a radio station is "off the air," then its signals are no longer being transmitted. Similarly, a television show that has been "disconnected" may no longer be broadcasted. These antonyms underscore the importance of a continuous flow of communication and signal transmission in modern society where we rely heavily on technology for information and entertainment.