Cool MateFoul vs That's gross
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Foul
Beyond 10,000 (less common)
That's gross
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: FoulMost common: That's gross
| Foul | That's gross | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //faʊl//🇺🇸 //faʊl// | 🇬🇧 //ðæts ɡrəʊs//🇺🇸 //ðæts ɡroʊs// |
| Meaning | A bad or unfair action in a game or sport. | It means something is very unpleasant or disgusting. |
| Example | He received a yellow card for a 'foul' during the match. | When I saw that moldy bread, I thought, 'That's gross.' |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | commit a foul, serious foul, foul play | that's gross, find something gross, it's gross, gross behavior, gross food |
| Antonyms | fair play, honor | - |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'fowl', which means bird., Using 'foul' in a non-sport context incorrectly., Mistaking 'foul' for 'foul play' when discussing wrongdoing. | Using it to describe something serious or important., Confusing it with 'that's great' when reacting positively., Using it in a sarcastic tone without clear context. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in sports contexts to describe illegal actions. Avoid in formal writing unless discussing rules. | Use in casual conversations. It's not suitable for formal settings or when talking about sensitive topics. |
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Frequently asked questions: Foul vs That's gross
What's the difference between Foul and That's gross?
Foul: A bad or unfair action in a game or sport. That's gross: It means something is very unpleasant or disgusting.
Which is more formal: Foul and That's gross?
Foul is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Foul and That's gross?
That's gross is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Foul: He received a yellow card for a 'foul' during the match. That's gross: When I saw that moldy bread, I thought, 'That's gross.'
Can I use Foul and That's gross interchangeably?
Not always. Foul and That's gross are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.