cry foul
idiom
chiefly US
: to complain that someone has done something that is not fair
When her parents gave her a new bicycle, her sisters cried foul.
Examples of cry foul in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Those who favor the absent candidate are going to cry foul.
—
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
During negotiations with Brussels, Tory Brexiteers as well as United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) supporters will be quick to cry foul on any concessions on the free movement of labor with the EU.
—Matthias Matthijs, Foreign Affairs, 18 July 2016
Venezuela’s Maduro asks top court to audit the presidential election, but observers cry foul
Man charged with murder of 4 people, 3 dogs in Plant City house fire (Update)
Central Florida’s RSV season begins soon.
—Orlando Sentinel, 31 July 2024
Vodka Gimlet Traditionalists will cry foul, noting this classic should feature gin rather than vodka.
—Scott Hocker, theweek, 20 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for cry foul 
Lance Eliot, Forbes, 15 Oct. 2024
During negotiations with Brussels, Tory Brexiteers as well as United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) supporters will be quick to cry foul on any concessions on the free movement of labor with the EU.
—Matthias Matthijs, Foreign Affairs, 18 July 2016
Venezuela’s Maduro asks top court to audit the presidential election, but observers cry foul
Man charged with murder of 4 people, 3 dogs in Plant City house fire (Update)
Central Florida’s RSV season begins soon.
—Orlando Sentinel, 31 July 2024
Vodka Gimlet Traditionalists will cry foul, noting this classic should feature gin rather than vodka.
—Scott Hocker, theweek, 20 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for cry foul
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cry foul.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near cry foul
Cite this Entry
“Cry foul.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cry%20foul. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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