It takes the same amount of time to do things right as to foul them up.
Too much aspirin can really foul up your stomach.
New idioms dictionary. 2014.
fall foul of something — fall foul of (something) slightly formal to break a law or a rule, and often be punished. If their market share grows too large, they will fall foul of anti monopoly laws … New idioms dictionary
foul up — (something) 1. to spoil something by making a mistake or doing something stupid. It takes the same amount of time to do things right as to foul them up. 2. to damage a machine or system. Too much aspirin can really foul up your stomach … New idioms dictionary
fall foul of something — fall foul of ˈsb/ˈsth idiom to get into trouble with a person or an organization because of doing sth wrong or illegal • to fall foul of the law Main entry: ↑foulidiom … Useful english dictionary
foul up — PHRASAL VERB If you foul up something such as a plan, you spoil it by doing something wrong or stupid. [V P n (not pron)] There are serious risks that laboratories may foul up these tests. [Also V n P] Syn: mess up … English dictionary
foul something up — (or foul up) make a mistake with or spoil something leaders should admit when they completely foul things up * * * ˌfoul sthˈup derived (informal) to spoil sth, especially by doing sth wrong • Everything was going really well until Rob came along … Useful english dictionary
Foul (nautical) — Foul is a nautical term meaning to entangle or entwine, and more generally that something is wrong or difficult. The term dates back to usage with wind driven sailing ships. Fouled anchorIt is usually applied to the state of an anchor, which has… … Wikipedia
foul-up — foul ups N COUNT A foul up is something that has gone badly wrong as a result of someone s mistakes or carelessness. [INFORMAL] A series of technical foul ups delayed the launch of the new product. Syn: bungle … English dictionary
Foul — Foul, v. i. 1. To become clogged with burnt powder in the process of firing, as a gun. [1913 Webster] 2. To become entagled, as ropes; to come into collision with something; as, the two boats fouled. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
foul one's nest — foul one s (own) nest do something damaging or harmful to oneself or one s own interests … Useful english dictionary
foul — foul1 [ faul ] adjective * ▸ 1 dirty ▸ 2 not allowed by rules ▸ 3 angry ▸ 4 about weather ▸ 5 unpleasant/evil ▸ + PHRASES 1. ) very dirty, or smelling or tasting unpleasant: What s that foul smell? The air within the cell was foul. foul… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
