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afoul

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fall (a)foul

To become disliked or to come in conflict with due to one's actions, often resulting in further trouble or conflict. Used in the phrase "fall (a)foul of (someone or something)." 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.

See also: fall

fall afoul of somebody/something

See: run afoul of somebody/something

See also: afoul, fall, of

run afoul of somebody/something

(slightly formal)

to act in a way not allowed by rules or the law fall afoul of somebody/something Rodman ran afoul of the team's rules and was kept out of the next game. He ran afoul of his supervisor, who complained to the mayor about his work.

See also: afoul, of, run

run afoul of

Also, run foul of. Come into conflict with, as in If you keep parking illegally you'll run afoul of the police. This expression originated in the late 1600s, when it was applied to a vessel colliding or becoming entangled with another vessel, but at the same time it was transferred to non-nautical usage. Both senses remain current.

See also: afoul, of, run