fall/run afoul of
idiom
chiefly US
: to get into trouble because of not obeying or following (the law, a rule, etc.)
After leaving home he fell afoul of the law.
an investor who has run afoul of stock market rules
Examples of fall/run afoul of in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
LibsOfTikTok, an account Musk often boosts and that subjects unsuspecting, often LGBTQ TikTok users to abuse, has seemingly run afoul of the policy unpunished.
—
Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
City data shows that Fly has allegedly run afoul of such requirements too.
—Jesse Coburn, Curbed, 31 Jan. 2025
Other actions mentioned in the email could run afoul of civil service laws, which are intended to safeguard most federal employees from political pressure and interference, as well as union contracts.
—Chris Cameron, New York Times, 29 Jan. 2025
While the military is allowed to support law enforcement and has done so at the border previously, the move raises questions about whether growing military involvement could run afoul of the Posse Comitatus Act, which bars troops from domestic law enforcement duties.
—Brad Dress, The Hill, 24 Jan. 2025
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Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025
City data shows that Fly has allegedly run afoul of such requirements too.
—Jesse Coburn, Curbed, 31 Jan. 2025
Other actions mentioned in the email could run afoul of civil service laws, which are intended to safeguard most federal employees from political pressure and interference, as well as union contracts.
—Chris Cameron, New York Times, 29 Jan. 2025
While the military is allowed to support law enforcement and has done so at the border previously, the move raises questions about whether growing military involvement could run afoul of the Posse Comitatus Act, which bars troops from domestic law enforcement duties.
—Brad Dress, The Hill, 24 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for fall/run afoul of
Dictionary Entries Near fall/run afoul of
Cite this Entry
“Fall/run afoul of.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fall%2Frun%20afoul%20of. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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