fall foul of
idiom
: to get into trouble because of failing to do what is required by (the law, a rule, etc.)
After leaving school she fell foul of the law and spent time in jail.
companies that fall foul of labor laws
Examples of fall foul of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The Moscow Times reported that Smirnov appeared to fall foul of Putin shortly after the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk began.
—
Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
The 1958 there’s a risk United will fall foul of profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
—Chris Weatherspoon, The Athletic, 18 Mar. 2025
Extensions that have been abandoned by their developers are also likely to fall foul of the new requirement.
—Barry Collins, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
However, a transfer to Palmeiras at this time would fall foul of rules in Spain which state players returning from loan to their parent club must do so when the transfer window is open so the player can be re-registered with the parent club.
—Pol Ballús, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fall foul of
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Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
The 1958 there’s a risk United will fall foul of profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
—Chris Weatherspoon, The Athletic, 18 Mar. 2025
Extensions that have been abandoned by their developers are also likely to fall foul of the new requirement.
—Barry Collins, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
However, a transfer to Palmeiras at this time would fall foul of rules in Spain which state players returning from loan to their parent club must do so when the transfer window is open so the player can be re-registered with the parent club.
—Pol Ballús, The Athletic, 24 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for fall foul of
Cite this Entry
“Fall foul of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fall%20foul%20of. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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