I was foiled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was foiled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing that someone’s plans or efforts have been thwarted or prevented from succeeding. Example: "Despite my best efforts to complete the project on time, I was foiled by unexpected technical difficulties."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

Yet I was foiled again and again like a video game avatar, either because there was no train stop or because I couldn't decipher my map.

The New York Times - Travel

But, I was foiled again.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I haven't read anything in the press about a wrap getting massacred, so I guess the plan was foiled.

Vice

*In 2000 the "Great Dome" robbery, was foiled.

Independent

The attempt was foiled when the pitch was fouled off.

The New York Times - Sports

The plot was foiled when French commandoes stormed the plane.

The New York Times

A Seton Hall rally was foiled by foul trouble.

The New York Times

The plot was foiled after Mr. Rziepel had second thoughts.

The New York Times

In the end, the Gibraltar plot was foiled.

The Guardian

He may have been planning an exit, but if so he was foiled.

The New York Times - Style

Two senior army generals were arrested immediately after the coup was foiled.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was foiled" when you want to express that your plans or efforts were specifically thwarted by an opposing force or circumstance. It implies a direct intervention that prevented success.

Common error

Avoid using "I was foiled" in extremely casual settings. While grammatically correct, it carries a slightly formal or literary tone that might sound out of place in everyday conversation. Consider more common alternatives like "I couldn't" or "I failed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was foiled" functions as a declarative statement expressing that the speaker's plans or efforts were thwarted. The auxiliary verb "was" indicates the passive voice, emphasizing that the speaker was the recipient of the action.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I was foiled" is a grammatically sound way to express that your plans were prevented from succeeding. While recognized as correct and usable by Ludwig AI, this phrase is not frequently used, leaning towards a slightly more formal register, primarily within news and media contexts. Alternative ways to express the same idea include "my efforts were thwarted" or "I was prevented". Therefore, when deciding if to use "I was foiled", be sure to consider the context to assure if the phrase fits well.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

My efforts were thwarted

Replaces "foiled" with "thwarted", emphasizing the obstruction of efforts.

My plan was frustrated

Uses "frustrated" instead of "foiled", suggesting a sense of annoyance or dissatisfaction due to the failed plan.

I was unsuccessful in my attempt

More formal and explicit, stating the lack of success in a particular attempt.

My attempt was prevented

Focuses on the prevention of the attempt, highlighting an external force hindering the action.

I couldn't succeed

Simple and direct, expressing an inability to achieve the desired outcome.

My hopes were dashed

Emphasizes the disappointment and sudden end to one's hopes or expectations.

My intentions were defeated

Highlights the defeat of intentions, focusing on a loss of purpose or aim.

I met with failure

A general expression indicating an unsuccessful outcome.

My schemes came to naught

More formal and emphasizes the futility of the schemes or plans.

I was checkmated

Borrowing a term from chess, this implies a decisive defeat where no further moves are possible.

FAQs

How can I use "I was foiled" in a sentence?

Use "I was foiled" when you want to express that your plans were directly prevented from succeeding. For example: "I hoped to surprise her, but "I was foiled" by her early arrival".

What can I say instead of "I was foiled"?

You can use alternatives like "I was thwarted", "I was prevented", or "I was unsuccessful" depending on the context.

Is "I was foiled" formal or informal?

"I was foiled" leans towards the formal side due to its slightly literary and less common usage compared to more direct alternatives like "I failed" or "I couldn't".

What's the difference between "I was foiled" and "I failed"?

"I was foiled" implies an external force or circumstance directly prevented success, while "I failed" simply states a lack of success without specifying the cause. To be foiled suggests intervention; to fail suggests a lack of inherent capacity.