plait fog

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   To perform an action in which the result falls apart immediately or to work on organizing…

   To perform an action in which the result falls apart immediately or to work on organizing something that cannot be organized.

   • The result for the supervisee is an experience like 'plaiting fog', that is, trying to hold together the different strands in a unified whole — and holding the tension between the needs of client, counsellor and organization.
   • He believed that the project was largely "plaiting fog” and making too much of what it had achieved.
   • Like my life is one long session of plaiting fog.
2. 2

   Used as a metaphor for accomplishing an impossible task.

   • Just as you can't plait fog, you can hardly have an informed debate about something that means quite different things to different people.
   • I though H had more chance of plaiting fog than coming back with an affirmative to his request.
   • "This is like trying to plait fog,” said Robson, now showing his frustration. “You can't have it both ways.”

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