run afoul of
Get into trouble
To run afoul of something is to come into conflict or collision with it.
The phrase originally described ships whose rigging became entangled.
Now it typically describes clashing with rules, laws, or authorities: She ran afoul of tax regulations, He ran afoul of his new boss within the first week.
Sometimes shortened to fall afoul of.
Break a rule deliberately
- breachBreaking of agreement
- infringeViolate another's rights
- contraveneAct against a rule
- floutOpenly defy authority
disobey · defy · overstep · trespass · break · disregard · transgress · encroach
Violent disagreement or collision
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
- discordLack of agreement
tension · altercation · disagreement · antagonism · hostility · opposition · collision · encounter
violate
Break a rule deliberately
- breachBreaking of agreement
- infringeViolate another's rights
- contraveneAct against a rule
flout · disobey · defy · overstep · trespass · break · disregard · transgress · encroach · infringement
clash
Violent disagreement or collision
- confrontationDirect hostile encounter
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
- frictionResistance between touching surfaces
discord · tension · altercation · disagreement · antagonism · hostility · opposition · collision · encounter · quarrel