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Afoul for Dummies

adjective

pronunciation: ə'faʊl

What does Afoul really mean?

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Afoul:
Hey there! I see you're curious about the meaning of the word "afoul." Well, let's dive right into it and break it down nice and easy for you. So, "afoul" is a word we often use when something goes wrong or doesn't happen the way we expect or want it to. It's like when you have a plan all set up in your head, but then things go awry and turn out differently. That's when we say things have gone "afoul" or "gone wrong."

Imagine you're baking some delicious chocolate chip cookies. You carefully follow the recipe, measuring out each ingredient and mixing everything together just right. But then, when you put the cookies in the oven, you accidentally forget to set the timer. When you finally remember and take them out, the cookies are burnt to a crisp! In this case, you can say that your baking endeavor has gone "afoul."

Now, here's where it gets interesting. "Afoul" can also mean that someone has done something against the rules or the law. It's like when two people are playing a game, and one person breaks the rules, they have gone "afoul" of the rules. It's kind of like taking a detour when you're supposed to stay on the path.

Just think about it as a way of describing something that doesn't go as planned or when someone breaks the rules. So, the next time you encounter a situation that goes "afoul" or you see someone not following the rules, you can use this word to describe what's happening. Keep in mind, though, that it's always important to be understanding and considerate of others, even when things go "afoul."

Revised and Fact checked by Steven Jackson on 2023-11-06 03:16:36

Afoul In a sentece

Learn how to use Afoul inside a sentece

  • During recess, Jimmy accidentally hit Billy with the ball, causing the game to go afoul.
  • The chef's attempt to recreate the recipe went afoul when he added too much salt by mistake.
  • The hikers were warned to stay away from the dangerous cliff to avoid any possible afoul.
  • The magician's trick went afoul when he dropped the deck of cards on the floor.
  • The soccer match went afoul when one of the players tripped and fell, resulting in a penalty.

Afoul Synonyms

Words that can be interchanged for the original word in the same context.

Afoul Similar Words

Words that similar to the original word, but are not synonyms.