foil

Everyday

1. Metal, usually aluminium, made into a very thin sheet, used to wrap and cook food. tree →
2. As a verb, to stop someone from doing a bad plan: "The police foiled the robbery." tree →
3. A light thin sword used in the sport of fencing. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, foil keeps sandwiches fresh and covers food in the oven. In science, foil is a metal, so it conducts electricity and reflects heat. In safety, never put foil in a microwave — it can spark. In stories, heroes foil the villain's plans. Phrases: tin foil, aluminium foil, kitchen foil, foil a plan, foiled again.

Examples

• Wrap the sandwiches in foil. tree →
• Cover the dish with foil and bake it. tree →
• Never put foil in the microwave. tree →
• The detective foiled the thief's plan. tree →
• "Foiled again!" shouted the villain. tree →
• Foil is a good conductor of electricity. tree →
• Once more she went to her Fairy-godmother who, astonished that her plan had been foiled, now told her to ask for another gown the colour of the moon. tree →

Note

As a material it is uncountable: "some foil", "a sheet of foil". Spelling: British "aluminium", American "aluminum". "Tin foil" is a common name, but it is usually aluminium, not tin. Regular verb: foiled.