veil of fog

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "veil of fog" is correct and usable in written English.
It is generally used to describe a situation in which some kind of information or truth is obscured or hidden. For example, "The guilt of my actions was hidden behind a veil of fog."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Hence she interpreted the persistence of Istanbul in withdrawing herself behind the veil of fog as a sign of intentional hostility and personal insult.

The Guardian - Books

Royal Court, SW1, to 21 Mar MC Storm is the theme of the 2015 Bristol international festival, which this year will be making Pero's Bridge on Bristol Harbourside disappear in a veil of fog, thanks to Japanese artist Fujiko Nakaya.

The Guardian

February also sees the return of Bristol's biennial In Between Time festival, which produces dramatic urban interventions around the city, including a 10-day installation during which Peros' Bridge in Bristol Harbourside will "disappear" behind a veil of fog – a creative celebration of the city's new Green Capital status.

The Guardian - Travel

The open-air structure emanates a circular veil of fog through pumps, which artist says will, "amplify feelings of impermanence and transformation".

Vice

I definitely felt like a veil of fog had been lifted: I had more clarity, I was making better decisions, I understood people better, I thought this was the key to success and happiness.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

SAN DIEGO — The green fairways of Torrey Pines Golf Course were visible through a veil of marine fog as our 24-foot skiff rolled on gentle swells a mile or so offshore.

The New York Times - Sports

It was like a veil of brain fog and exhaustion was lifted.

Huffington Post

A veil of snow and fog cloaked Snowbasin for three days, never budging to open the curtain on a 2002 Winter Olympic preview.

The New York Times - Sports

Under a veil of the early-morning fog Yvon Chouinard Tvon Chouinard, the 63-year-old founder of Patagonia sportswear, and I cast colorful, hand-tied salmon flies into the tannin-stained water.

Forbes

Darkness" — words that evoke the fog of childhood, which he has called "a veil of menace and murk and quiet".

The New Yorker

One could even conclude that it is not just a veil of secrecy, but rather a fog of deceit that the Fed is trying to throw over Congress.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "veil of fog" to create a sense of mystery or ambiguity in your writing, suggesting that something is hidden or unclear due to atmospheric conditions.

Common error

Avoid using "veil of fog" metaphorically when a simpler term like "obscurity" or "confusion" would be more appropriate. The phrase is most effective when it retains a connection to actual atmospheric conditions or visual impairment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "veil of fog" functions primarily as a descriptive noun phrase. It paints a picture of atmospheric conditions, where fog acts as a covering, obscuring element. As Ludwig highlights, it’s used to describe situations where visibility is reduced.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "veil of fog" is a grammatically correct and usable English phrase, albeit somewhat rare in occurrence. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's generally employed to describe atmospheric conditions or metaphorically to indicate obscurity. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science contexts, the phrase serves to evoke a sense of mystery or reduced visibility. When using "veil of fog", it's best practice to ensure it aligns with either a literal atmospheric description or a clear metaphorical representation of something being hidden or unclear.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

misty veil

Reverses the original structure while retaining a similar meaning, emphasizing the delicate nature of the covering.

shroud of mist

Emphasizes a covering or concealing effect, similar to a veil but implying a denser obscurity.

blanket of fog

Suggests a widespread and enveloping layer of fog, focusing on the extent of coverage.

curtain of mist

Implies a visual barrier created by the mist, similar to a veil but suggesting a more defined edge.

haze of fog

Highlights the indistinct and blurred quality of the fog, rather than its covering effect.

foggy obscurity

Focuses on the lack of clarity and the state of being hidden due to the fog.

obscuring fog

Highlights the fog's function in hiding or making something unclear.

fog-induced haze

Specifies that the haze is caused by fog, clarifying the source of the obscurity.

nebulous fog

Implies a vague and ill-defined quality of the fog, focusing on its lack of clear boundaries.

atmospheric haze

Broadens the scope to include any atmospheric condition that reduces visibility, not specifically fog.

FAQs

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

You can use "veil of fog" to describe a literal atmospheric condition, such as, "The city was hidden behind a "veil of fog"." It can also be used metaphorically to suggest something is obscured or unclear.

What's a good alternative to "veil of fog"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "shroud of mist", "blanket of fog", or simply "obscurity".

Is it appropriate to use "veil of fog" metaphorically?

Yes, "veil of fog" can be used metaphorically to describe a situation where something is obscured or hidden, similar to how fog obscures vision. However, ensure the metaphor is clear and adds value to the writing.

What is the difference between "veil of fog" and "curtain of fog"?

Both phrases describe fog, but ""veil of fog"" suggests a delicate, obscuring layer, while "curtain of fog" implies a more substantial, visual barrier.