in a fog

1. Also, in a haze. Preoccupied, not paying attention; also, at a loss, confused. For example, After the accident he went about in a fog, even though he had not been injured, or Millie always seems to be in a haze; she never knows what's going on. These expressions allude to fog or haze obscuring one's view; the fog usage dates from about 1600, haze from about 1800.

Example Sentences

Hargitay doesn’t remember anything about her mother, and what she can conjure comes in a fog so opaque that she’s not sure whether it’s real or imagined.

From Salon

The whole family is going to stay in Thailand in a fog for the rest of their lives while they do good things for other people.

From Los Angeles Times

He arrives from under the stage in a fog of dry ice and a cone of laser beams, apparently controlling the lights with his bare hands, before dancing to the middle of the arena with the molten fluidity of his idol, Michael Jackson.

From BBC

Tim is in a fog of lorazepam and dread, so the news barely registers, but its a SOO-NAH-ME of emotions for Victoria, who, unlike her husband, can’t temper her reaction with pills.

From Los Angeles Times

Since he and his sister Mitra fled the Palisades fire last week with little more than the clothes on their back, Far has been in a fog.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• baffled 
• bewildered 
• clueless 
• doubtful 
• mystified www.thesaurus.com
• perplexed 
• rattled www.thesaurus.com