foil
foil /f'ɔɪl/ (foils foiling foiled)
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
Foil consists of sheets of metal as thin as paper. It is used to wrap food in.
Pour cider around the meat and cover with foil.
...aluminium foil.
2 [VERB] V n
If you foil someone's plan or attempt to do something, for example to commit a crime, you succeed in stopping them from doing what they want. (JOURNALISM)
A brave police chief foiled an armed robbery on a jewellers' by grabbing the raiders' shotgun...
= thwart
3 [N-COUNT] usu sing, N for n
If you refer to one thing or person as a foil for another, you approve of the fact that they contrast with each other and go well together, often in a way that makes the second thing or person seem better or less harmful.
He thought of her serenity as a foil for his intemperance...
A cold beer is the perfect foil for a curry.
= complement
1 [N-UNCOUNT]
Foil consists of sheets of metal as thin as paper. It is used to wrap food in.
Pour cider around the meat and cover with foil.
...aluminium foil.
2 [VERB] V n
If you foil someone's plan or attempt to do something, for example to commit a crime, you succeed in stopping them from doing what they want. (JOURNALISM)
A brave police chief foiled an armed robbery on a jewellers' by grabbing the raiders' shotgun...
= thwart
3 [N-COUNT] usu sing, N for n
If you refer to one thing or person as a foil for another, you approve of the fact that they contrast with each other and go well together, often in a way that makes the second thing or person seem better or less harmful.
He thought of her serenity as a foil for his intemperance...
A cold beer is the perfect foil for a curry.
= complement