Every month, we take a look at a word in the headlines, in English, for your English. See more at The Word of the Month.
Definitions
To foil (verb): To prevent something (bad) from succeeding
Example: Our attempt to rob the bank was foiled when a small dog named Paco phoned the police.
Foiled plots in the news
This month, a terrorist attack on a European train was foiled by a group of young Americans and a 60-year-old British consultant.
The Americans were then immediately thrown off the train for speaking too loudly.
Know your foils
Aluminium foil
Primary use: Cooking.
Secondary use: Hat for crazy people.
Fencing Foil
Primary use: Thin sword for fencing.
Secondary use: Tooth pick for giants.
Hydrofoil
Primary use: Fast, gliding boat.
Secondary use: Stressing out the whales, man.
How to foil a terrorist plot
- Be brave and courageous. Or American.
- Be on holiday in Amsterdam. They say it sharpens your reflexes.
- Wait hours for occupied train toilet. Tackle whoever comes out.
Receive congratulations from a grateful nation in your native tongue.
Take a look through our Word of the Month archives, or improve your English with gymglish.com.