good foil

Frequency: 5.03.1 per million words

Something or someone that provides an effective contrast.

Categories:

Examples (10)

  • The witty, talkative sidekick serves as a good foil for the stoic, silent hero.
  • The dark, textured wall provides a good foil for the minimalist, white furniture.
  • In their partnership, his cautious planning was a good foil for her bold, creative ideas.
  • The acoustic guitar provides a good foil to the singer's powerful, raw voice.
  • Her pragmatic approach is a good foil to his more philosophical and abstract theories.
  • A simple white shirt is a good foil for a statement necklace.
  • The tangy citrus dressing was a good foil for the sweetness of the roasted vegetables.
  • Architecturally, the sleek new building is a good foil for the ornate, historical structure next to it.
  • In the debate, the opposition leader was a good foil, making the prime minister's points seem stronger by comparison.
  • The quiet, observant character of Watson is a good foil for the eccentric genius of Sherlock Holmes.