fog a mirror

idiom

Meaning

To be alive.

Origin

disputed origin

From the notion of placing a mirror near the nose or mouth of a sleeping person to determine whether they were still breathing, thus alive; indicated by the glass fogging up.

Examples

SIMPLE

He will hire anyone who can fog a mirror.

CONTEXTUAL

The company is so desperate for workers that they will hire anyone who can fog a mirror.

COMPLEX

In this competitive market, the recruiter joked that the only requirement for the entry-level position was the ability to fog a mirror.

Anchors to

fog
mirror