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Cry Foul

What Does "Cry Foul" Mean?

homeidiomsCry Foul
"Cry foul" is an English idiom. It means "to complain loudly about unfair treatment or violations."

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "cry foul" used in a sentence:
  • The team cried foul when the referee made that call.
  • She cried foul when she realized she'd been overlooked for a promotion.
  • When the rules changed suddenly, several companies cried foul.
meaning for cry foul

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Cry Foul" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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