Meaning & use
foul play
Illegal, dishonest, or violent action, especially when suspected in a death or disappearance.
See it in a sentence
Detectives suspected foul play after finding signs of forced entry at the scene.
The referee reviewed the tackle carefully to check for any foul play.
A note on using this word
Foul play is most often used in crime contexts, though it can also describe unfair conduct in sports or business.
Words with a similar meaning
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