| E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898. |
| | | Foil. | | |
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That which sets off something to advantage. The allusion is to the metallic leaf used by jewellers to set off precious stones. (French, feuille; Latin, folium; Greek, phullon, a leaf.) | 1 |
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| “Hector, as a foil to set him off.” | |
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| “I’ll be your foil, Laertes. In mine ignorance |
| Your skill shall, like a star i’ the darkest night, |
| Stick flery off indeed.” | |
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Shakespeare: Hamlet, v. 2. |
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He foiled me. He outwitted me. | 2 |
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“If I be foiled, there is but one ashamod who never was gracious.”—Shakespeare: As You Like It, i. 2. |
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To run a foil. To puzzle; to lead astray. The track of game is called its foil; and an animal hunted will sometimes run back over the same foil in order to mislead its pursuers. | 3 |
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