fog of time

USAGE SUMMARY

"fog of time" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used to describe a sense of uncertainty or confusion about events that occurred in the past, due to the passing of time and potentially unreliable memories. Example: As I looked through my old photo album, memories started flooding back but they were clouded by the thick fog of time, making it difficult to distinguish reality from my idealized recollections.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Memory is a tricky thing: subjective, malleable to the needs of narrative or the fog of time.

The New York Times

Oswald brings the poem closer to the begats of Genesis, meant to carry fact through the fog of time, than to the tales of ­Beowulf and Roland, which may have begun in history but ended in legend.

The New York Times - Books

The great names of Triple Crown folklore cemented their legacies with many more great performances on the track, long after the cries of the thousands crammed into the Titanic of Belmont Park's grandstand had disappeared into the fog of time.

The Guardian - Sport

For years scientists have dreamed of developing a genuine memory booster, a drug that could tune the brain's biological search engine so that it's better at retrieving not only recently learned facts, like last night's dinner menu, but details that seem all but lost in the fog of time, like childhood classmates' names and antics.

The New York Times - Health

Looking backward through the fog of time, it is hard to remember now.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

One intriguing result seen in Table 4 is that an increased proportion of fog (in terms of time within the shift) on public holidays increases the likelihood of robbery.

Crime Science

Lucas has possibly hedged a bet that the fog of memory and time has obscured the Holiday Special just enough to not get too irritated by its continued availability via illegal channels.

The Guardian - Film

Public concern in Beijing boiled over in early 2013, when degradation of the air quality over several days reached some of the highest levels in recent years. 1 Similar events occurred in many other cities, for example, Tianjin, Wuhan, Chongqing, etc. Particularly in winter, most of northern China is shrouded in thick fog and haze for extended periods of time.

BMJ Open

In addition, the mechanism to prevent modifications in smart meter data in the advanced metering infrastructure would be to retain collected data in Fog node for specific duration of time before release.

Journal of Cloud Computing

His Valentine's Day card mix up seemed to snap her out of her fog of twitterpation for the time being (and seriously, David, could you not write the names on the envelopes?); but deep down, they both know that they can't continue the charade.

Huffington Post

The objective of the study was to determine the so-called capture efficiencies (CE) defined as the ratio of the amount of fog water per time interval and unit area impacted on the target and the corresponding amount collected by a totally absorbing filter.

Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "fog of time" to evoke a sense of mystery or uncertainty about past events, especially when memories are unreliable or details are scarce.

Common error

Avoid phrasing that suggests time is actively creating the fog. Instead of "time created a fog", prefer "events have been lost in the "fog of time"", which focuses on the obscured memories.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fog of time" functions as a noun phrase, acting as a metaphorical description of how the passage of time obscures memories and events. It's used to add a layer of poetic ambiguity, as seen in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Science

12%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fog of time" is a valid and evocative expression used to describe how the passage of time obscures memories and understanding of past events. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct, though relatively rare. Predominantly found in News & Media, and occasionally in scientific writing, it serves to add a poetic layer to discussions about history and memory. When using this phrase, consider its metaphorical nature and ensure it aligns with the desired tone of your writing. Remember to emphasize the subjective and obscured aspects of the past, rather than implying that time itself is an active agent of obfuscation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mists of time

This alternative uses "mists" instead of "fog", implying a slightly softer, less dense obscurity.

blur of time

This alternative focuses on the blurring or indistinct effect of time, rather than a complete obscuring.

distant past

This alternative provides a more straightforward description of the past being far removed from the present.

recesses of memory

This alternative emphasizes the idea of memories being hidden or difficult to access.

depths of history

This alternative places the events further back in historical terms, emphasizing their age.

corridors of time

This alternative uses "corridors" metaphorically, creating a sense of long passages and journeys through time.

shadows of the past

This alternative emphasizes a darkness or negative aspect associated with past events.

bygone era

This alternative refers to a period in the past, particularly one that is remembered fondly or considered outdated.

historical obscurity

This alternative emphasizes the lack of clarity or information about past events due to their age.

waning years

This alternative refers to a time that is nearing its end.

FAQs

What does the phrase "fog of time" mean?

The phrase "fog of time" refers to the way memories and details of past events can become unclear, distorted, or forgotten as time passes, creating a sense of uncertainty or mystery.

How can I use "fog of time" in a sentence?

You can use "fog of time" to describe how the past is difficult to remember accurately. For example, "Many details of my childhood are now lost in the "fog of time"".

What are some similar phrases to "fog of time"?

Similar phrases include "mists of time", "blur of time", or "distant past", all suggesting a lack of clarity or remoteness in the past.

Is "fog of time" a commonly used phrase?

While not extremely common, "fog of time" is a recognized and usable phrase, particularly in literary or reflective contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity.