3. Forestalling Murphys Law Preventing Murphys Law from taking effect/operating forestall--prevent or defeat (a person or his plans)by acting first e.g. Before he had time to explain what he proposed to do, his plan was foresta∥led The police forestalled the burglar's attempt to break into the jeweler's3. Forestalling Murphy’s Law— Preventing Murphy’s Law from taking effect/operating. forestall—prevent or defeat (a person or his plans) by acting first e.g.: Before he had time to explain what he proposed to do, his plan was forestalled. The police forestalled the burglar’s attempt to break into the jeweler’s