Run afoul of Meaning in English
expression
RUN uh-FOWL uhv
ruh-NAF-owl ov
Definition
To get into trouble by conflicting with rules, the law, or someone in authority.
Usage & Nuances
Formal or semi-formal expression, often used in legal, business, or official contexts. Common with 'the law', 'regulations', 'authorities'. Not used for physical collisions, but for conflicts with rules or power.
Spanish: chocar con - infringir - entrar en conflicto conPortuguese (BR): entrar em conflito com - infringir - esbarrar emPortuguese (PT): entrar em conflito com - infringir - esbarrar emChinese (Simplified): 触犯 - 与...发生冲突Chinese (Traditional): 觸犯 - 與...發生衝突Hindi: से टकरा जाना - उलझ जानाArabic: يصطدم بـ - يخالفBengali: বিরোধে পড়া - সমস্যায় পড়া (নিয়ম বা কর্তৃপক্ষের সঙ্গে)Russian: нарушить - попасть в конфликт с (законом/правилами/властью)Japanese: 抵触する - 逆らうVietnamese: vi phạm - gặp rắc rối vì xung đột vớiKorean: 어긋나다 - 위반하다Turkish: karşı karşıya gelmek - ihlal etmekUrdu: ٹکراؤ ہونا - خلاف ورزی کرناIndonesian: melanggar - bermasalah dengan
Example Sentences
He ran afoul of the school rules and got suspended.
basic
Be careful not to run afoul of the law.
basic
The company ran afoul of new regulations last year.
basic
If you run afoul of the authorities here, things can get complicated.
natural
Many travelers accidentally run afoul of local customs without realizing it.
natural
You don’t want to run afoul of your boss this week—he’s in a bad mood.
natural