foul play

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.

foul play

noun

1. unfair or treacherous conduct esp with violence

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of foul play¹

First recorded in 1600–10

Idioms and Phrases

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?”

Example Sentences

As well as saying there was no intent from the British and Irish Lion, Barrett added that he would help Beirne in the disciplinary hearing that follows foul play in rugby.

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The man was not immediately identified, and no foul play was suspected.

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But basketball has proven especially susceptible to foul play.

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Barstow police officials revealed few details of their case or what led detectives to suspect foul play in the 2-year-old’s death.

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Police - who do not suspect foul play - say they will continue investigating, but that the case has become a "recovery operation".

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