Idioms

fall foul of

fall (a)foul of (someone or something)

1. To become disliked or to come in conflict with someone or something due to one's actions, often resulting in further trouble or conflict. Since you're new here, be careful not to fall afoul of Bill—he'll keep you off of every case if he's mad at you. I fell foul of the committee, and now I'm not sure how to improve my reputation. Ted fell afoul of the law when he was still a kid, and he's been in and out of jail ever since.
2. nautical, obsolete To strike the side of another ship. The two vessels, pitched and tossed as they were by the storm, fell foul of one another and sank into the cold Atlantic ocean. That ship is getting awfully close to us, Captain. We might fall foul of it! If we fall foul of another ship, and it rips a hole in our side, we're doomed to sink.
See also: fall, of
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

fall (a)foul of someone or something

 and run (a)foul of someone or something
to get into a situation where one is opposed to someone or something; to get into trouble with someone or something. Dan fell afoul of the law at an early age. I hope that you will avoid falling afoul of the district manager. She can be a formidable enemy. I hope I don't run afoul of your sister. She doesn't like me.
See also: fall, foul, of
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

fall foul of

come into conflict with and be undermined by.
2004 Sunday Business Post Australia's biggest wine-maker, Foster's Group, is the latest company to fall foul of the wine surplus, which is set to continue for at least two years.
See also: fall, foul, of
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017

fall foul of ˈsb/ˈsth

do something which gets you into trouble with somebody/something: They fell foul of the law by not paying their taxes. ♢ Try not to fall foul of Mr. Jones. He can be very unpleasant.
See also: fall, foul, of, Sb, sth
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017
See also:
References in periodicals archive
As Tom Beezer of the UK Law Firm Bond Pearce in a Client Briefing Paper of 7 July, 2010 (2) has rightly pointed out: "We don't want to scaremonger but lavish corporate hospitality could fall foul of the new legislation.
The UK Bribery Act 2010 finally comes into force
The MPs say e-Borders breaches free movement rules and may also fall foul of data protection laws.
UK border scheme 'could be illegal' uk newsbulletin
A 13-year-old boy has become the latest player to fall foul of golfing red tape.
Golf rules put schoolboy in bunker
BUSINESSES in Liverpool are being warned not to fall foul of TV licensing laws during the forthcoming World Cup tournament.
TV licence warning
The new regulations are confusing, and parents need to understand that there's a pounds 30 fine if you fall foul of the law.
EU legislation
On the question of a female Archbishop of Canterbury, likely to be strongly opposed by many Anglicans in Africa and Asia, he said that the churcla would fall foul of Britain's Sex Discrimination Act if its highest post were denied to women.
Change is imminent
HMV boss Alan Giles said he didn't think that was enough to fall foul of competition watchdogs.
Your Money: A PAGE EARNER
CHECK you are properly insured if taking your car abroad as many British drivers fall foul of foreign motoring rules, claim the British Insurance Brokers' Association.
Mail Money: Insure car is covered abroad
The insurance pool, led by German insurer Allianz AG, is said to be considering closing the pool because of fears that it may fall foul of European Union competition rules.
German insurers considering closing airline insurance pool
German champion jockey Andrasch Starke became the first rider in three years to fall foul of the no-drinks rule when he missed out on five rides at the big Boxing Day meeting in Hong Kong -and then had the ban lifted awaiting the outcome of a blood test.
Andrasch Starke
Nurses risk breaking patient confidentiality but could fall foul of police if they don't report drugs.
Nurses in junkie dilemma
"I don't follow it or go on it but if they fall foul of the rule then it may make then think twice next time.
'WATCH WHAT YOU TWEET' WARNING
SMALL firms have been warned that their websites could fall foul of new EU rules governing the use of cookies.
FPB warns cookies could leave nasty taste for firms
The Military Police will be out and about, performing random checks and nobody wants to fall foul of them.
MPs are ID card sharp; Events
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