What Does "Run Afoul Of" Mean?
"Run afoul of" is an English idiom. It means "to come into conflict or disagreement with something, often rules, regulations, laws, or authority; to face consequences for violating or defying established norms."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "run afoul of" used in a sentence:- The company ran afoul of environmental regulations, leading to fines and legal repercussions.
- If you run afoul of the law, it can result in criminal charges and a tarnished reputation.
- He unintentionally ran afoul of the organization's policies, which led to a disciplinary review.
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 "Run Afoul Of" 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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