fall (a)foul of (someone or something)

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.

See also: fall, of

Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2022 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