cry foul
Claim unjust treatment
To cry foul is to protest that something is unfair or against the rules, from the sports term for an illegal play.
The phrase implies vocal objection to perceived wrongdoing: Consumer groups cried foul when the company raised prices.
Someone who cries foul claims they've been cheated or that others aren't playing fair.
- find faultExpress disapproval of imperfections
- denouncePublicly declare wrongdoing
- bad callErroneous judgment or decision
- misconductImproper professional behavior
- cheatingDeceptive rule-breaking
throw a fit · make a stink · protest · raise hell · object · file a complaint · grievance · call out · point fingers · accountability · dispute · criticize · blow the whistle · reprimand · rebuke · challenge · oppose · protest too much
cry foulgrin and bear it
Endure hardship without complaint
suffer in silence · hold one's tongue · bite one's tongue · keep quiet · say nothing
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