foul play

foul play

Unspecified criminal or unscrupulous actions, especially violence when stated as the potential cause of a death or disappearance. That actor actually died of a heart attack—there was no foul play after all. When that much money goes missing, you have to start to suspect foul play.
See also: foul, play
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

foul play

illegal activity; bad practices. The police investigating the death suspect foul play. Each student got an A on the test, and the teacher imagined it was the result of foul play.
See also: foul, play
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

foul play

Unfair or treacherous action, especially involving violence. For example, The police suspected he had met with foul play. This term originally was and still is applied to unfair conduct in a sport or game and was being used figuratively by the late 1500s. Shakespeare used it in The Tempest (1:2): "What foul play had we, that we came from thence?"
See also: foul, play
The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
See also:
  • in the pocket of (someone)
  • funny business
  • dine with the devil
  • sup with the devil
  • slimeball
  • slime bucket
  • slimebag
  • slime bag
  • catch (someone) some other time
References in periodicals archive
It is difficult to imagine how an act of foul play of this sort could be worse, save for repeated acts or where actual injury is caused."
Lee banned for 13 weeks after 'clearing nose on rival'
If there has been foul play, then there will always be a penalty.
Nigel Owens reveals the five things Six Nations referees will be looking out for this year; Inside insight to what officials will keeping an eye on in the coming weeks
Moriarty admitted the act of foul play, accepted the red card and apologised for his actions.
Moriarty gets four week ban
Dubai Police said initial investigation showed no foul play at the crime scene.
Husband kills wife, hangs himself
The study used video clips filmed with the help of players who were asked to simulate a variety of foul play scenarios.
Perception of refs' eyesight may alter
Asked directly if he suspected foul play, he replied: "I think so.
GB FURY AT RELAY DECISION; Rio 2016; SPRINT ROW
Seems like there's a lot of violent foul play in this game with "innate superiority"?
Union's not superior; FEEDBACK
The children were returned to the family when the medical examiner found no evidence of foul play.
Mum kills 3 sons because husband ignored daughter; Two babies and toddler suffocated with blanket
Roger Glasgow, the brother of John Glasgow, whose remains were found Wednesday on Petit Jean Mountain, said during a news conference Thursday afternoon that he suspects foul play in his brother's death.
John Glasgow's brother: 'I think it was foul play'
'No foul play' The ROP official said there was no evidence of foul play and the victim's body was handed over to his family on Friday.
Omani man commits suicide
THE CBI has ruled out foul play in the death of Union Minister Gopinath Munde four months ago, claiming that the politician died due to injuries sustained in a road accident.
' No foul play in Munde's accident'
-- The parents of a missing University of Virginia student said Wednesday they fear she is the victim of ''foul play,'' and police released two new surveillance videos showing the 18-year-old walking past a pub and, minutes later, running past a service station.
Woman's parents fear 'foul play'
JASON Steele will miss Boro's next three games after the FA confirmed he was sent off at Leeds for serious foul play.
Steele to miss three matches
The Orthodox Church has refuted initial reports that authorities may suspect foul play, saying in a statement that athe information in the mass media of a violent death is not confirmed in any way at this stage by the Varna police.a
Bulgaria's Varna to Get Interim Metropolitan Bishop