Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

afoul

Adverb
/əˈfaʊl/
Definition
In a state of conflict or disagreement.
Examples
  • The ship ran afoul of the regulations due to its late departure.
  • He found himself afoul of the law after ignoring the warning signs.
  • When their plans went afoul, they had to come up with a new strategy.
Meaning
The term ‘afoul’ refers to being caught in a difficult situation or entangled in a problem. It often describes circumstances where things have gone wrong or are not going as planned.
Synonyms
  • In trouble
  • In conflict
  • Entangled