English Expression · Intermediate
run afoul
To become entangled or in conflict with
Pronunciation: say run afoul
Meaning
To encounter or come into conflict with someone or something.
Example
He ran afoul of the law when he was caught speeding.
He ran afoul of the law when he was caught speeding.
Practice tips
- Practice run afoul out loud — read the pronunciation guide above and repeat.
- Use it in your own sentence today; reuse beats rereading.
- Pay attention to context: this English expression is for intermediate-level learners.