verb
foil
To prevent someone or something from succeeding.
The alarm foils the thief's attempt to enter the house.
Etymology
The older verb means to trample or press down. Foiling a plan extends that defeating pressure to preventing the plan from achieving its intended result.
More examples
- Heavy rain foiled our plans for a picnic.
- She foils the scam by checking the caller's identity.
- They installed stronger locks to foil future break-ins.
Forms
foil · foils · foiled · foiling