a foul hand

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a foul hand" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where you are describing someone who is behaving unfairly or dishonestly, often in a competitive situation. Example: "He played the game with a foul hand, cheating his opponents at every turn."

✓ Grammatically correct

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

South Korea showed more conviction than they had against Algeria, but seemed to have little game plan early on other than to run into the box and fall over, allowing Williams to showcase an increasingly irritated range of air-chopping that's-not-a-foul hand gestures.

The Guardian - Sport

I suspect Loki's foul hand be afoot.

Huffington Post

Marianne Elliott's stunning production of "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," by Simon Stephens, is my pick for Best Play, though it's up against a scrappy little upstart: "Hand to God," Robert Askins's raunchy comedy about a foul-mouthed hand puppet possessed by the Devil.

The New Yorker

A foul on Ryan Flynn handed Falkirk a penalty, Scott Arfield succeeding where McGeady could not by restoring parity.

The Guardian - Sport

43 min: Coloccini and his locks of lustre give away a foul on the left hand edge of the box when he failed to deal with Campbell running at him.

The Guardian - Sport

Golly, even that innocent remark could be misconstrued in these complicated times) 41 min: Drogba draws a foul near the right-hand corner flag.

The Guardian - Sport

A 25-yard volley from Kayode Odejayi gave Tranmere a lifeline and a foul on the striker handed them a penalty.

BBC

Stopping the ball with the hand is a foul, as is stopping it with the body or foot.

Encyclopedia Britannica

He was a stand-up guy, best known for pointing a finger at himself after wrenching losses or raising his hand when a foul was called on him.

The New York Times - Sports

Some Iraqi officials complain that the football association is still tainted by its old relationship with one of Saddam Hussein's sons, Uday, who once ruled Iraqi sports with a whip hand and a foul temper.

The New York Times

He was, for an hour, Lazio's brightest spark, but already on a yellow card for a foul, he foolishly used his hand to reach a high cross, giving the referee no alternative but to send him off.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a foul hand" when you want to evoke a sense of deliberate unfairness or underhandedness in a competitive situation.

Common error

Avoid using "a foul hand" to describe simple mistakes or unintentional errors; it implies intentional wrongdoing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a foul hand" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun, often implying a negative judgment about someone's actions or methods. Ludwig AI highlights its association with unfairness and dishonesty.

Expression frequency: Missing

Frequent in

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Formal & Business

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Less common in

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Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a foul hand" describes unfair or dishonest conduct. Although grammatically sound, its usage is infrequent. Ludwig AI identifies it as suitable across a range of contexts although not frequent at all. When aiming for formal precision, consider alternatives like "unfair advantage" or "dishonest approach" to convey the intended meaning with clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unfair advantage

Focuses on the advantage gained rather than the method, implying inequity.

dishonest approach

Highlights the lack of honesty in the method used.

unethical practice

Emphasizes the violation of ethical principles.

corrupt dealings

Suggests a more serious level of wrongdoing, often involving bribery or illegal activities.

deceitful tactics

Focuses on the use of deception to achieve a goal.

underhanded methods

Implies secrecy and a lack of transparency.

crooked scheme

Suggests a complex and illegal plan.

Machiavellian strategy

References a ruthless and cunning approach, prioritizing the end result above ethical considerations.

illicit means

Highlights the illegal nature of the actions taken.

nefarious actions

Emphasizes the wickedness and immorality of the deeds.

FAQs

How can "a foul hand" be used in a sentence?

You can use "a foul hand" to describe someone acting unfairly or dishonestly. For example, "He played the game with "a foul hand", cheating his opponents at every turn."

What's a similar phrase to "a foul hand"?

Alternatives to "a foul hand" include "unfair advantage", "dishonest approach", or "unethical practice".

Is it appropriate to use "a foul hand" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "a foul hand" might be more suitable for informal or creative writing. In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "unethical behavior" or "dishonest practices".

Does "a foul hand" always imply illegal activity?

No, "a foul hand" implies unfairness or dishonesty, but not necessarily illegal activity. The actions could be unethical or against the rules without breaking the law.