Reference > Brewer’s Dictionary > Fall Foul.

 Fall Flat (To).Fall From (To). 
CONTENTS · BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD
E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
 
Fall Foul.
 
To fall foul of one is to make an assault on someone. A sea term. A rope is said to be foul when it is entangled; and one ship falls foul of another when it runs against her and prevents her free progress. Hence to run up against, to assault.   1
 


 Fall Flat (To).Fall From (To). 

 
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