crying foul

USAGE SUMMARY

"crying foul" is an idiom that is used in written English.
It means to express anger and displeasure about something perceived to be unfair. Example: The players felt the call was unjust and began crying foul.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

An opposition crying foul.

The New York Times

The opposition is crying foul.

The Economist

The Spanish are crying foul.

The Economist

The Republicans are crying foul.

The Economist

"Everybody's crying foul," he said.

The New York Times

But Iraqi officials are now crying foul.

The Economist

Opposition parties are already crying foul.

The Economist

The bike's owner was crying foul.

The New York Times

But some rivals were crying foul.

The New York Times

Norwegian Cruise's competitors are crying foul.

The New York Times

The Bush administration is crying foul.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crying foul" when you want to express that someone is publicly protesting something they believe is unfair or unjust. Ensure the context involves a sense of outrage or strong disagreement.

Common error

Avoid using "crying foul" in situations where simple disagreement is present. This idiom implies a stronger sense of injustice and public outcry. If the situation is less intense, consider using phrases like "disagreeing" or "raising concerns".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crying foul" functions as a verbal phrase, often used as a present participle modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the action of expressing strong disapproval or protest. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "crying foul" is a verbal phrase used to express strong disapproval or protest against something perceived as unfair. Ludwig AI confirms that its function is primarily to voice objections and call attention to perceived injustices, predominantly in news and media contexts. While the phrase maintains a neutral register, it conveys a firm stance of disagreement. Remember to use it appropriately when describing situations involving legitimate claims of unfairness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

protesting the decision

This is specifically directed at a decision that is perceived as unfair.

protesting vehemently

This alternative emphasizes a strong and forceful expression of disagreement.

objecting strongly

This emphasizes the intensity of the disagreement.

raising objections

This suggests a formal expression of disagreement or disapproval.

voicing disapproval

This focuses on the act of expressing disagreement.

complaining bitterly

This highlights the negative emotional tone of the complaint.

expressing indignation

This suggests a reaction of anger and outrage.

lodging a complaint

This implies a formal process of registering a grievance.

denouncing the action

This suggests a public condemnation of something.

making accusations

This implies claiming wrongdoing or fault.

FAQs

How to use "crying foul" in a sentence?

You can use "crying foul" to describe someone expressing strong disapproval or protesting against something they perceive as unfair. For example, "The opposition party is "crying foul" over the election results."

What does it mean to say someone is "crying foul"?

To say someone is "crying foul" means they are protesting or complaining loudly about something they believe is unfair or unjust. It often implies a sense of outrage or strong disagreement.

What can I say instead of "crying foul"?

You can use alternatives like "raising objections", "protesting vehemently", or "voicing disapproval" depending on the context.

Is "crying foul" a formal or informal expression?

"Crying foul" is generally considered a neutral expression, suitable for news reports and general communication. While not overly formal, it carries a sense of strong disagreement and is less casual than simple complaints.