foul to start

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "foul to start" is not a standard expression in written English and may be confusing without context.
It could be used in a context where something is deemed unpleasant or inappropriate from the beginning, but it is not commonly recognized. Example: "The atmosphere at the meeting was foul to start, making it difficult for anyone to contribute positively."

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Lukas, whose last 22 starters here have failed to reach the winner's circle, seemed most upset that the stewards waited until his claim of foul to start an inquiry.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

The spiral Monday began when catcher Kelly Shoppach dropped Kurt Suzuki's pop-up in foul territory to start the third inning.

The New York Times - Sports

But the teams also combined to shoot 51.6percentt on free throws, and when St . Johns Sharif Fordham missed two foul shots to start the second half, Referee Mike Kitts said, "Is he going to make a free throw?" St. John's trailed by 12 pointSharifdrew to 36-31 on Anthony Glover's Fordham-pointer of the season at the halftimissedzer.

The New York Times - Sports

Carolina was soon forced to start fouling the Lady Vols, who made their free throws and advanced to the Final Four, 76 70.

Wikipedia

Maeda fouled off a changeup and a fastball to start the duel.

Los Angeles Times

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

The Guardian - Sport

A bevy of finance ministers are also keen to limit the European Parliament's planned powers over the EU budget.If many of these changes are made, defenders of the convention text will cry foul and start saying that the whole thing has been gutted.

The Economist

Duke guarded with a slap-the-floor ferocity that long defined the program, scored twice in the second half on delightfully designed inbounds plays and battled through second-half foul trouble to the starting big men, Zoubek and Thomas.

The New York Times - Sports

More importantly, once we let ourselves acquire the habit of ill-wishing the utterly foul, we will start using extreme language for people whose sins are more venial – the lazily complacent actors who defended Roman Polanski, for example.

The Guardian - Opinion

With more fouls starting to occur, the first booking was awarded in the 14th minute.

Wikipedia

Every time it's the same - the air turns foul, he starts screaming uncontrollably, and then eventually one of the fat Nigerian nurses comes stomping in, making a squeaking noise with her mouth that sounds like she's sucking air through her teeth with her tongue (this, apparently, signifies disapproval in her culture).

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "foul to start", ensure the context clearly indicates what is considered "foul" or inappropriate about the beginning, as the phrase can be somewhat ambiguous without further explanation.

Common error

Avoid using "foul to start" in highly formal or academic writing without careful consideration. While acceptable in general usage, more precise or formal language may be more appropriate depending on your audience and the specific context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "foul to start" functions as an adjective phrase modifying an implied noun (e.g., situation, beginning). It describes the initial state or action as being unpleasant or inappropriate. This assessment aligns with Ludwig AI's evaluation of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "foul to start" describes a beginning that is unpleasant or inappropriate. Ludwig AI indicates the phrase is acceptable, albeit not very common. Its usage is most frequently found in news and media contexts and carries a neutral register. When writing, consider the level of formality required and the potential ambiguity of the phrase. The related phrases provide alternative ways to convey a similar meaning with varying degrees of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bad start

Simplifies "foul" to "bad", creating a more general and commonly used phrase.

inappropriate beginning

Changes the term "foul" to "inappropriate" and uses the noun "beginning" instead of the infinitive phrase.

problematic inception

Employs a more critical tone by using "problematic" and the noun form "inception".

negative kickoff

Replaces "start" with a more dynamic synonym, maintaining a slightly informal tone.

unacceptable outset

Emphasizes the inappropriateness with "unacceptable" and uses "outset" as a synonym for "start".

tainted beginning

Emphasizes corruption or negativity from the start.

unfavorable initiation

Replaces "foul" with "unfavorable" and "start" with the more formal "initiation".

flawed commencement

Highlights the imperfections or mistakes from the start.

ill-omened start

Highlights a start that is predictive of bad outcomes.

inauspicious commencement

Uses synonyms with a more formal register for both "foul" and "start".

FAQs

What does "foul to start" mean?

The phrase "foul to start" suggests that something began in an unpleasant, unfair, or unacceptable manner. It implies that the initial conditions or actions were problematic.

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

You might say, "The project had a "bad start" because of miscommunication among team members," implying the beginning was problematic. Or, "The negotiation had a "problematic inception" due to unrealistic expectations."

What are some alternatives to "foul to start"?

Alternatives include "inappropriate beginning", ""bad start"", or "unfavorable initiation", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is "foul to start" grammatically correct?

Yes, "foul to start" is grammatically acceptable, though not highly common. It's a relatively informal way to describe a beginning that is problematic or unpleasant. Consider your audience and the level of formality required for your writing.