foul play

noun

1. any treacherous or unfair dealing, especially involving murder.

   We feared that he had met with foul play.

2. unfair conduct in a game.

foul play

noun

1. unfair or treacherous conduct esp with violence

2. a violation of the rules in a game or sport

Word History and Origins

Origin of foul play¹

First recorded in 1600–10

Idioms and Phrases

Unfair or treacherous action, especially involving violence. For example, The police suspected he had met with foul play. This term originally was and still is applied to unfair conduct in a sport or game and was being used figuratively by the late 1500s. Shakespeare used it in The Tempest (1:2): “What foul play had we, that we came from thence?”

Example Sentences

On May 25, her Chevy Avalanche was located off Highway 36, and evidence recovered at the scene suggested to investigators that the mother of four had been the victim of foul play, Johnson said.

From Los Angeles Times

Police have made clear there is no evidence of foul play in the deaths, but it means that new ballots will have to be printed and some postal voters will have to recast their ballots.

From BBC

Officials suspected foul play and homicide investigators began conducting their investigation, according to authorities.

From Los Angeles Times

He said the situation at one of the gravesites hinted at foul play.

From BBC

The Sheriff’s Department said it cannot rule out foul play in the case but has not named any suspects.

From Los Angeles Times