foul down

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foul down" is not correct and not usable in written English.
It appears to be a misunderstanding or misphrasing, as "foul" typically does not pair with "down" in standard English usage. Example: "The game was called off due to a foul down the field." (This is incorrect usage.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

But Piazza grounded out, Zeile lined out after fouling off four pitches with two strikes and Benny Agbayani -- whose potential game-tying double fell just foul down the right-field line -- grounded out to end the game.

The New York Times - Sports

During the at-bat, Lucroy lined one pitch just foul down the right-field line and then the next pitch just foul down the left-field line.

Los Angeles Times

Cruz rips it foul down the third base line.

The New York Times

He'll hit it hard foul down the right-field line.

The New York Times - Sports

I was pulling all the home runs foul down the left-field line.

The New York Times

Here's Lackey's first pitch and — a fastball, drilled foul down the first-base line.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

McCall also disagreed with his opposite number Derek McInnes who suggested 'Well stopper Shaun Hutchinson should have been red-carded for fouling down Ryan Jack, who was subsequently stretchered off.

BBC

But the best chance for a Walsall third came in the final minute of normal time when Posh sub Gabriel Zakuani was adjudged to have fouled Downing in the box, Olejnik going low to his left to keep out sub Hemmings' feebly struck left-foot penalty.

BBC

In 1985 Kevin Moran became the first man to be dismissed in a final when he was sent off for a professional foul – bringing down Peter Reid – playing for Manchester United against Everton.

Independent

The red stayed in his pocket until extra time when John Heitinga, who had already received a yellow card for an earlier foul, brought down Andr?Iniesta to prevent a scoring chance.

The New York Times

So that letter must have been pretty foul, pretty down and dirty, to have provoked dismissal of not just one, but three meritorious drivers, right?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing sports plays, use more specific terminology like "foul ball" or "illegal takedown" to accurately convey the infraction. Be mindful of using "foul" with verbs like "commit" or "draw" to align with standard English usage.

Common error

Avoid directly combining "foul" with "down" unless you're sure it fits a specific regional or technical context. Instead, opt for established phrases like "commit a foul" or "foul ball" to ensure clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foul down" primarily functions as a descriptive term, often in sports contexts. While Ludwig AI flags it as potentially incorrect, its use describes events like a ball landing outside the lines in baseball or an illegal action in other sports. The use remains descriptive, indicating direction or illegality.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "foul down" appears in various contexts, primarily sports-related, it's essential to acknowledge Ludwig AI identifies it as potentially incorrect in standard English. Its communicative purpose often describes events that deviate from rules or expected trajectories, mainly in neutral registers like news reports. For accuracy, consider using more established phrases like ""foul ball"" or "commit a foul" to convey your intended meaning with greater precision. The phrase's usage is uncommon but understood in specific sports contexts. Be attentive to grammatical correctness and source authority when using the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

foul ball

Focuses on a specific term in baseball, referring to a ball hit outside of fair territory.

commit a foul

Highlights the act of committing a violation in sports, emphasizing rule-breaking rather than physical direction.

illegal takedown

Emphasizes a prohibited action in wrestling or martial arts, shifting the focus to a specific violation of rules.

draw a foul

Focuses on eliciting a penalty from an opponent, rather than the action of making an illegal play.

foul up

Indicates a general mistake or error, diverging from the original phrase's implications of illegal actions in sports.

play dirty

Shifts the focus to unethical behavior, emphasizing unfair tactics rather than specific violations.

break the rules

Emphasizes non-compliance with regulations, broadening the concept from specific game-related violations.

down the line

Emphasizes the direction of something, often used in baseball.

foul language

Focuses on offensive speech.

unsportsmanlike conduct

Refers to behavior that violates the ethics of sports, broadening the scope beyond specific infractions.

FAQs

How is the phrase "foul down" generally used?

The phrase "foul down" often appears in sports contexts, particularly in baseball where it describes the trajectory of a hit ("foul ball"). It may also relate to basketball or soccer, where "foul" refers to an illegal action against an opponent.

What are some alternatives to using "foul down" in writing?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "commit a foul" to describe an illegal action, or specify ""foul ball"" if referring to baseball. Using precise language enhances clarity.

Is "foul down" grammatically correct?

While the phrase "foul down" appears in some contexts, it is not always considered grammatically standard English. It's generally safer to use established phrases like ""foul ball"" for clarity and correctness.

What does it mean when a baseball is called "foul down"?

In baseball, a ball that is hit outside of the foul lines is referred to as a ""foul ball"". This means the ball landed in foul territory, resulting in a strike unless the batter already has two strikes.