a foul start

USAGE SUMMARY

"a foul start" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a situation that got off to a rough beginning, either for a person, a venture, or other situation. For example: "The project had a foul start when the original contractor failed to show up on the first day."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

In case of a double disqualification in which one driver commits a foul start and the second driver crosses into his opponent's lane, the driver who committed the foul start wins.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Maybe you thought he should have gone to the basket more, given a hard foul, started quicker and finished with more than a telegraphed turnover to Ron Harper in the final minute of a close game.

The New York Times - Sports

A foul that starts on the penalty line may be ruled a penalty or non-penalty depending on what the officials see.

BBC

Eric Gordon scored 30 points, Blake Griffin had 18 points and 15 rebounds after a foul-plagued start, and the Los Angeles Clippers snapped the Los Angeles Lakers' seven-game winning streak with a 99-92 victory at Staples Center on Sunday.

The New York Times - Sports

A 3-point play by Willis on the Smits foul started the streak which put the Rockets ahead to stay.

The New York Times - Sports

A foul mood may start in the brain, but it also has a physical effect--calling for a physical solution.

Forbes

From the village of Sikharpur, in the Sindhupalchowk district, a news agency reported that "a foul smell has started emanating from the bodies of the dead," posing the threat of an epidemic.

The New Yorker

Every decision that goes against Olympic is met by howls from the crowd, and the fouls start to creep in.

The Guardian - Sport

If you don't understand signals, such as yellow cards and fouls, start watching games in English and then as you understand the game more, progress onto foreign language commentaries.

WikiHow

The morning after Steve Bartman, the hapless Cubs fan, reached for a foul fly ball, helping start a Marlins rally in Game 6, I bought a Marlins hat to wear to school.

The New York Times - Sports

Welke initially raised his arms to signal a foul ball, then immediately started pointing repeatedly into fair territory.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a foul start" when you want to emphasize not just that something began badly, but also that there may have been some unfairness or wrongdoing involved.

Common error

Avoid using "a foul start" when simply describing a difficult beginning that lacks any element of unfair play or misbehavior. Opt for "a rocky start" or "a difficult beginning" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a foul start" functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object in a sentence. It describes an initial state or event that is characterized by negative attributes, suggesting something improper or unfair at the outset, as suggested by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a foul start" is a noun phrase used to describe a bad beginning characterized by unfairness or impropriety. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's generally considered grammatically correct, but its usage is relatively rare. The phrase is found primarily in news media and wiki sources. When writing, it's important to consider the connotation of unfairness and choose alternative phrases like "a bad beginning" or "a rocky start" if that element is absent. While understandable, it may be better to reserve this for neutral or informal registers.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bad beginning

Emphasizes the negative aspect of the initial phase.

an inauspicious start

Highlights the lack of promise in the initial stage.

an unfortunate beginning

Focuses on the element of bad luck at the outset.

a rocky start

Suggests a difficult and unstable initial period.

a troubled start

Indicates problems and difficulties from the beginning.

an unsuccessful launch

Specifically refers to a failure in the initial attempt or introduction.

a shaky start

Implies instability and uncertainty at the beginning.

an unpromising start

Indicates a lack of potential or good signs from the outset.

a calamitous beginning

Highlights the disastrous or unfortunate nature of the commencement.

a difficult commencement

Emphasizes the hardship encountered at the initial stage.

FAQs

How can I use "a foul start" in a sentence?

You can use "a foul start" to describe a project, relationship, or venture that began poorly, especially when there's a sense of unfairness or wrongdoing. For example, "The new business venture had "a bad beginning" when their main investor pulled out at the last minute".

What's a good alternative to "a foul start"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "a rocky start", "an inauspicious start", or "a troubled beginning". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "a foul start" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, "a foul start" might be perceived as slightly informal. For academic or professional contexts, consider more neutral alternatives such as "an unfortunate beginning" or "a difficult commencement" to maintain a higher degree of formality.

What distinguishes "a foul start" from "a bad start"?

"A bad start" simply indicates that something began poorly. "A foul start", however, implies that the poor beginning was due to something unfair, unjust, or even dishonest. The addition of "foul" suggests impropriety that "bad" does not.