Browse all

mist over

B2 neutral inseparable intransitive
In simple words

To become blurry because of water or emotion, or to become covered with a light fog.

Literal meaning: To have mist spread over a surface — the metaphorical extension to eyes and memory is idiomatic.

Meanings

1 B2 idiomatic neutral

(Of eyes) To fill with tears or become watery, especially due to emotion.

"Her eyes misted over as she read the letter from her late grandmother."

Grammar: inseparable
2 B2 neutral

(Of a view, surface, or memory) To become unclear or indistinct.

"The valley misted over at dawn, hiding the farmhouses below from sight."

Grammar: inseparable
3 B1 neutral

(Of a glass surface) To become covered with condensation.

"The bathroom mirror misted over as soon as he turned on the hot shower."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Used for physical fogging of surfaces and metaphorically for eyes filling with tears. Also used for memories or views becoming indistinct. The weather sense (landscape misting over) is also used in literary and descriptive writing.

Commonly used with

eyes glasses memory view windows landscape

Forms

Base
mist over
I/you/we/they
3rd person
mists over
he/she/it
Past simple
misted over
yesterday
Past participle
misted over
have + pp
-ing form
misting over
continuous

Understand "mist over" better

Try:

Real video examples

Video examples are being collected. Check back soon.

Synonyms

mist up fog over glaze over become blurry steam up

Want to master this phrasal verb?

Practice "mist over" on Looplines