foul play

American  

noun

1. any treacherous or unfair dealing, especially involving murder.

   We feared that he had met with foul play.

2. unfair conduct in a game.

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foul play British  

noun

1. unfair or treacherous conduct esp with violence

2. a violation of the rules in a game or sport

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foul play Idioms  

1. Unfair or treacherous action, especially involving violence. For example, The police suspected he had met with foul play. This term originally was and still is applied to unfair conduct in a sport or game and was being used figuratively by the late 1500s. Shakespeare used it in The Tempest (1:2): “What foul play had we, that we came from thence?”

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Etymology

Origin of foul play

First recorded in 1600–10

Example Sentences

Nanos’s words offered a grim signal that foul play was involved in the disappearance of Guthrie, an 84-year-old with health issues who, her family says, relies on daily medication for survival.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ashman's foul play saw a Scotland penalty become an Italy penalty - and another three points.

From BBC

“The individual is believed to be Nathan Smith, pending official confirmation by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Office,” police wrote, adding there was no indication of foul play.

From Los Angeles Times

"Based on the investigation to date, there is no indication of foul play," police said, adding they will continue to examine what led to his death.

From BBC

The mother of “Today” host Savannah Guthrie has been reported missing from her home in Arizona and local authorities say they suspect foul play.

From Los Angeles Times