in a fog

Idioms  

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

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell recently analogized the lack of economic data during the government shutdown to driving in a fog.

From The Wall Street Journal

"The Federal Reserve is still driving in a fog," said Art Hogan, chief market strategist for B Riley Wealth.

From BBC

"As Chair Powell said – 'When you are driving in a fog, you slow down.'"

From BBC

In a fog, standing still can feel like the safest move.

From Barron's

An end to the shutdown would also mean the resumption of government data, which could help Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell feel less like he’s driving in a “fog,” as he said recently, and more willing to step on the gas in terms of interest rate cuts.

From Barron's

Related Words

• baffled
• bewildered
• clueless
• doubtful
• mystified
• perplexed
• rattled