running afoul of
Getting into trouble
Running afoul of means coming into conflict or collision with something—typically rules, laws, or authority.
The phrase comes from nautical language, where ships run afoul when they become entangled or collide.
Now it's mostly figurative: He kept running afoul of company policy.
Her methods ran afoul of federal regulations.
- crimePunishable illegal act
- offenseViolation or umbrage
- infractionMinor rule breach
- tabooCultural or social prohibition
- corruptionDishonest abuse of power
breaking the law · legal trouble · negligence · faux pas · contravention · breach · rules and regulations · code of conduct · misdemeanor · disobedience · flouting · crossing the line · dishonesty · malfeasance · insult · noncompliance · felony · impropriety