lost in fog

USAGE SUMMARY

"lost in fog" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe a state of confusion or lack of clarity, both literally and metaphorically. Example: "He felt lost in fog as he tried to make sense of the complex instructions." Alternative expressions include "in a haze" and "in the dark."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

After the patrol had been picked up, the helicopter got lost in fog, it was reported.

The New York Times

The studies envisioned a low-speed impact by a plane lost in fog, he said.

The New York Times - Science

They got lost in fog and most of them never made it.

The Guardian - Sport

From her high window Manhattan's monumental broken skyline was lost in fog & she could see only the little roofs below & their neighbors immediately beyond, all under smooth snow that shaped them into separateness.

The New Yorker

It even survived an aircraft crashing into it – a B-25 Mitchell bomber lost in fog – in July 1945.

BBC

Taking leave of the fleet, they made for the Estero de la Luna, a huge estuary where Ricketts and Steinbeck became lost in fog while out on a collecting expedition, after the "Sea-Cow" once again refused to run.

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Even though he ended our conversation on a high note, I spent the subway ride home in a gloomy daze, lost in a fog of ambiguity.

Vice

"Lost in the fog".

The Guardian

Here's how to avoid getting lost in the fog.

The New York Times

Events lost in the fog at the time are now open to passions as well.

The New York Times - Sports

And this is where the concrete can get lost in a fog of projections.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase metaphorically, consider adding 'a' (e.g. "lost in a fog of memory") to better specify the type of confusion being described.

Common error

Do not pair the phrase with redundant adjectives like 'foggy fog' or 'cloudy fog'. The term 'fog' already implies the condition. Instead, use specific descriptors like 'thick fog' or 'patchy fog' if further detail is necessary.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lost in fog" primarily functions as a participle phrase that modifies a subject to describe a state of disorientation. According to Ludwig, it can serve as a predicative adjective (e.g. "they were lost") or an adverbial modifier explaining the circumstances of an action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Science

3%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "lost in fog" is a robust and grammatically correct expression used to describe both literal and metaphorical disorientation. Ludwig AI data reveals that while it frequently appears in historical and news reports to explain tragic accidents—such as planes or boats losing their way—it is equally effective in figurative language to depict a state of mental or political confusion. The phrase is most commonly found in high-authority sources like The New York Times and The Guardian, where it maintains a neutral to slightly literary tone. Writers should feel confident using it to evoke a sense of obscurity, but may want to use alternatives like "<a href="/s/shrouded+in+mist" target="_blank" rel="alternative">shrouded in mist" for more poetic contexts or "<a href="/s/obscured+by+the+fog" target="_blank" rel="alternative">obscured by the fog" when focusing strictly on the loss of sight.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disoriented by the mist

Provides a more descriptive and sensory focus on the physical sensation of being lost.

obscured by the fog

Emphasizes the visual obstruction rather than the state of the person or object.

wandering in a haze

Suggests a more prolonged or aimless state of confusion, often used figuratively.

clouded in uncertainty

Shifts the focus entirely to a metaphorical lack of information or clarity.

shrouded in mist

Carries a more poetic or mysterious connotation, focusing on the atmosphere.

lost in a daze

Refers to a mental state of shock or confusion rather than physical weather conditions.

adrift in the fog

Nautical nuance that implies a lack of control or direction in the midst of obscurity.

bewildered by the gloom

Highlights the emotional reaction of being confused by dark or unclear surroundings.

blinded by the vapor

More technical or literal, focusing on the immediate loss of sight.

mired in confusion

Metaphorical phrasing that suggests being stuck or bogged down by a lack of clarity.

FAQs

How do I use "lost in fog" in a sentence?

You can use it literally, as in "the ship was <a href="/s/lost+in+fog" target="_blank" rel="alternative">lost in fog near the coast", or figuratively to describe confusion.

What is a more poetic way to say "lost in fog"?

You might consider using a phrase like "<a href="/s/shrouded+in+mist" target="_blank" rel="alternative">shrouded in mist" or "<a href="/s/veiled+by+vapor" target="_blank" rel="alternative">veiled by vapor".

Can I use "lost in fog" for mental confusion?

Yes, it is very common in figurative writing. You could also say someone is "<a href="/s/lost+in+a+haze" target="_blank" rel="alternative">lost in a haze" or "<a href="/s/in+a+daze" target="_blank" rel="alternative">in a daze".

Is "lost in the fog" more common than "lost in fog"?

Adding the definite article makes it more specific to a particular event. Use "<a href="/s/lost+in+the+fog" target="_blank" rel="alternative">lost in the fog" when referring to a specific instance mentioned previously.