foul practice

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foul practice" is correct and usable in written English.
You could use it to describe unethical or unfair behavior, or any other kind of activity that is considered to be wrong or undesirable. For example, "He was engaged in some very foul practices, such as bribing public officials."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

(Nearly all the nations of the world and most states in the United States have ended this foul practice. But not Texas).

The New York Times

"It is now up to the government to decide whether or not we can ban spitting in this borough and I'd urge them to listen to the views of people living here and give us the ability to tackle this foul practice once and for all".

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In 1992, Texaco an American oil company left Ecuador and what remained was evidence of foul practices.

Columbia University

And it seems that this covetousness was an hereditary disease transmitted from father to son; for Gylippus also afterwards was caught in foul practices, and expelled from Sparta for it.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

All but the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez, who stood in shallow left field, by the foul line, practicing his swing.

The New York Times - Sports

Some pension watchers are crying foul over the practice.

The New York Times

In other words, with an effective antiterrorist policy there would be no Guantánamo, no detention without fair trial, no secret wiretapping programs and no "renditions" of suspects to friendly but foul regimes that practice torture.

The New York Times - Books

They're at war, and my father used to say, 'The only time winning is absolutely crucial is in surgery and war.' " Of course, before the Olympics even began, Gaze found himself an unwilling combatant with Carter, whom he had the audacity to foul in a practice game.

The New York Times - Sports

According to The New York Times, "Residents of majority-black cities have long cried foul over the practice.

Huffington Post

MELVIN MORA started in his place Thursday night, as the Mets fielded their first lineup this season with all right-handed hitters.... Left-hander MIKE HAMPTON, who suffered a bruised right knee Wednesday when he was struck by a sharp grounder, ran wind sprints during batting practice from foul line to foul line and moved normally.

The New York Times - Sports

Mr Giliomee carefully details the accumulating grievances and the chafing bitterness endured by each successive generation, and suggests that many Afrikaner practices, foul in hindsight, did not deviate far from their historical mean.Afrikaner commandos did indeed decimate the Khoikhoi peoples in the eastern Cape, but so did British imperial soldiers.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "foul practice" when you want to strongly condemn a behavior or action as being not only wrong but also morally offensive.

Common error

While "foul practice" is acceptable, consider using more neutral terms like "unethical conduct" or "misconduct" in formal or business settings to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foul practice" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "foul" modifies the noun "practice". Ludwig AI indicates that it is correct and usable in English to describe unethical or unfair behavior.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Academia

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "foul practice" is a phrase used to describe unethical or undesirable behavior, with a strong emphasis on moral offensiveness. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. While the phrase is rare in occurrence, it is suitable for expressing strong disapproval. Consider alternatives like "unethical conduct" or "misconduct" in formal settings to ensure a professional tone. The phrase commonly appears in News & Media and Academic contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unethical conduct

Focuses on the ethical aspect of the behavior, implying a violation of moral principles.

corrupt behavior

Highlights the element of dishonesty and abuse of power.

dishonest dealings

Emphasizes the lack of integrity in business or personal interactions.

deceitful methods

Focuses on the use of deception and trickery.

underhanded tactics

Suggests the use of sneaky and unfair strategies.

immoral actions

Highlights the lack of moral principles guiding the actions.

iniquitous behavior

Emphasizes the wickedness and sinfulness of the conduct.

reprehensible conduct

Focuses on the blameworthy and disgraceful nature of the behavior.

scandalous actions

Highlights the potential for public outrage and damage to reputation.

unscrupulous dealings

Emphasizes the lack of moral principles or ethical considerations in business practices.

FAQs

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

You can use "foul practice" to describe unethical or unfair behavior. For example: "The investigation revealed a pattern of "foul practice" within the company."

What's a less judgmental alternative to "foul practice"?

Consider using more neutral terms like "unethical conduct" or "misconduct", especially in formal contexts.

Is "foul practice" formal or informal?

"Foul practice" carries a strong negative connotation and is generally suitable for expressing disapproval in both news reporting and academic analyses. However, in formal business communication more neutral language could be preferred.

What kind of actions does "foul practice" typically describe?

"Foul practice" usually refers to activities that are not only incorrect or against the rules but also considered morally reprehensible, such as bribery, corruption, or exploitation.