Run afoul of something
verb phrase
To get in trouble because of breaking a rule or law.
If he continues to neglect his duties, he's going to run afoul of his employer.
Often appears as...
- run afoul of the law
- run afoul of regulations
Usage tips
Formal
Idiomatic
verb phrase
To fall out of favor or get into conflict with someone.
My brother ran afoul of his friends because he kept borrowing money and not returning it.
Often appears as...
- run afoul of friends
- run afoul of colleagues
Usage tips
Formal
Idiomatic
verb phrase
To get in trouble because of breaking a rule or law.
If he continues to neglect his duties, he's going to run afoul of his employer.
Often appears as...
- run afoul of the law
- run afoul of regulations
Usage tips
Formal
Idiomatic
verb phrase
To fall out of favor or get into conflict with someone.
My brother ran afoul of his friends because he kept borrowing money and not returning it.
Often appears as...
- run afoul of friends
- run afoul of colleagues
Usage tips
Formal
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Legal Trouble
Suggests serious consequences, often involving police or courts.
He ran afoul of the law by evading taxes.
Pro Tip 2/3Professional Risk
Implies risk to one's job or professional standing.
She'll run afoul of her company's policies with her actions.
Pro Tip 3/3Regulatory Issues
Refers to conflicts with official rules or guidelines.
Their restaurant might run afoul of health regulations.
Pro Tip 1/3Legal Trouble
Suggests serious consequences, often involving police or courts.
He ran afoul of the law by evading taxes.
Pro Tip 2/3Professional Risk
Implies risk to one's job or professional standing.
She'll run afoul of her company's policies with her actions.
Pro Tip 3/3Regulatory Issues
Refers to conflicts with official rules or guidelines.
Their restaurant might run afoul of health regulations.
Pro Tip 1/3Legal Trouble
Suggests serious consequences, often involving police or courts.
He ran afoul of the law by evading taxes.
Pro Tip 2/3Professional Risk
Implies risk to one's job or professional standing.
She'll run afoul of her company's policies with her actions.
Pro Tip 3/3Regulatory Issues
Refers to conflicts with official rules or guidelines.
Their restaurant might run afoul of health regulations.
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