move the goalposts
To change the rules or criteria unfairly
بهطور تحتاللفظی: To physically relocate the two posts that form the scoring area in a game
Use this when someone unfairly changes the requirements for success after you've already started working.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Changing rules or requirements unfairly after a task has started.
- Commonly used in business, politics, and personal arguments.
- Implies the change makes success much harder to achieve.
معنی
Imagine you are playing soccer and you are about to score. Suddenly, your opponent picks up the goal and moves it ten feet away so you miss. This phrase describes when someone unfairly changes the rules or requirements after you have already started a task.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 6Frustrated at work
I finished the report, but now my boss wants three more chapters; she keeps moving the goalposts!
I finished the report, but now my boss wants three more chapters; she keeps changing the requirements unfairly!
Texting a friend about a date
He said we were just grabbing coffee, now he wants me to meet his parents. Talk about moving the goalposts!
He said we were just grabbing coffee, now he wants me to meet his parents. That's a huge change in the plan!
Arguing with a sibling
You said I could borrow the car if I washed it, but now you want me to pay for gas too? Stop moving the goalposts!
You said I could borrow the car if I washed it, but now you want me to pay for gas too? Stop changing the deal!
زمینه فرهنگی
The idiom originated in the world of British sports, particularly football, during the 1920s. It reflects a deep-seated cultural obsession with 'fair play' and the idea that once a contract or agreement is made, it should be sacred. It gained massive popularity in political commentary during the 1980s to describe politicians who changed their success criteria to avoid admitting failure.
The 'Keep' Connection
This phrase is very often paired with the word 'keep' (e.g., 'They keep moving the goalposts'). This emphasizes that the unfairness is happening over and over again.
Don't be too literal
Unless you are actually on a soccer field talking about groundskeeping, never use this to describe moving physical objects. It is almost 100% metaphorical.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Changing rules or requirements unfairly after a task has started.
- Commonly used in business, politics, and personal arguments.
- Implies the change makes success much harder to achieve.
What It Means
Move the goalposts is all about unfairness. It happens when you agree on a goal or a rule. You work hard to reach it. Then, right before you finish, the other person changes the requirements. Now, you have to work even harder. It feels like the finish line just ran away from you. It is frustrating and usually feels like a trick.
How To Use It
Use it as a verb phrase. You can say someone is moving the goalposts. You can also say they keep moving the goalposts if they do it often. It usually describes a person in power, like a boss or a picky parent. Use it when you feel the 'deal' has changed without your consent. It sounds strong, so use it when you are ready to stand your ground.
When To Use It
This is perfect for work frustrations. Use it when your boss adds new tasks to a project you just finished. Use it in sports when a referee makes a weird call. It works well with friends if they change plans at the last minute. If you feel cheated by a change in rules, this is your phrase. It’s great for venting over a drink.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for small, accidental changes. If a friend is five minutes late, they didn't move the goalposts. Don't use it if the rules changed for a good, logical reason. If a safety rule changes to save lives, it’s not 'unfair.' Avoid using it in very happy, positive moments. It is a phrase rooted in complaint and conflict. Also, don't use it if you are the one who failed to meet the original goal!
Cultural Background
This phrase comes from British English sports, specifically football (soccer). It became popular in the mid-20th century. It captures the Western cultural value of 'fair play.' In English-speaking cultures, changing rules mid-game is seen as a major character flaw. It suggests the person is dishonest or disorganized. It’s now common in politics and business worldwide.
Common Variations
Sometimes people say shifting the goalposts. It means the exact same thing. In the US, you might hear changing the rules in the middle of the game. You might also hear someone say the goal is a moving target. That is similar but slightly more neutral. Moving the goalposts remains the most common way to express this specific frustration.
نکات کاربردی
This phrase is neutral to informal. It is very common in office environments to describe scope creep or changing KPIs. Avoid using it in extremely formal legal documents, but it is perfectly fine for a business email.
The 'Keep' Connection
This phrase is very often paired with the word 'keep' (e.g., 'They keep moving the goalposts'). This emphasizes that the unfairness is happening over and over again.
Don't be too literal
Unless you are actually on a soccer field talking about groundskeeping, never use this to describe moving physical objects. It is almost 100% metaphorical.
The 'Fair Play' Secret
In English-speaking cultures, accusing someone of 'moving the goalposts' is a serious social 'yellow card.' It’s a polite way of calling someone a cheater.
مثالها
6I finished the report, but now my boss wants three more chapters; she keeps moving the goalposts!
I finished the report, but now my boss wants three more chapters; she keeps changing the requirements unfairly!
Shows the boss is adding work after the original task was done.
He said we were just grabbing coffee, now he wants me to meet his parents. Talk about moving the goalposts!
He said we were just grabbing coffee, now he wants me to meet his parents. That's a huge change in the plan!
Uses the phrase to describe a social escalation that feels unfair.
You said I could borrow the car if I washed it, but now you want me to pay for gas too? Stop moving the goalposts!
You said I could borrow the car if I washed it, but now you want me to pay for gas too? Stop changing the deal!
A classic everyday negotiation where the terms keep changing.
My trainer moved the goalposts today; apparently, 'low carb' now means 'no carb' and more burpees.
My trainer changed the rules today; apparently, 'low carb' now means 'no carb' and more burpees.
Lighthearted use regarding a difficult physical challenge.
With all due respect, the committee is moving the goalposts by adding these new criteria during the final review.
With all due respect, the committee is changing the rules unfairly by adding these new criteria now.
A polite but firm way to call out unfairness in a professional setting.
I feel like I can never please you because you're always moving the goalposts on what 'good enough' looks like.
I feel like I can never please you because you're always changing your expectations of me.
Focuses on the emotional toll of inconsistent expectations.
خودت رو بسنج
Choose the best word to complete the idiom.
I had almost reached my sales target, but then the manager ___ the goalposts by increasing the quota.
The standard idiom is 'move the goalposts'.
Identify the correct context for this phrase.
Which situation best describes 'moving the goalposts'?
This involves changing the terms of an agreement after it has been made.
🎉 امتیاز: /2
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Formality Spectrum of 'Move the Goalposts'
Used with friends to complain about plans.
Stop moving the goalposts, man!
Common in office talk or news reports.
The company moved the goalposts on our bonuses.
Used in legal or political debates to highlight unfairness.
The opposition is accused of moving the goalposts regarding the treaty.
When to say 'Move the Goalposts'
Workplace
New tasks added to a finished project.
Relationships
Partner changing expectations mid-argument.
Sports
Referees changing how they call fouls.
Finance
Banks adding fees after you sign up.
سوالات متداول
10 سوالIt means someone changed the rules or the 'finish line' of a task while you were already doing it, making it harder for you to succeed.
It is almost always negative. It implies that the person changing the rules is being unfair or dishonest.
Yes, it is very common in business. You might say, I feel we are moving the goalposts on this project's success criteria.
No, they are identical. Shifting the goalposts is just a common variation of the same idiom.
Usually someone in a position of power, like a boss, a government, or a teacher, because they have the authority to change the rules.
Yes! Although it started in British English, it is now used everywhere English is spoken, including the US and Australia.
A common mistake is using it for any change. It only applies if the change makes a goal harder to reach or feels unfair. If a change makes things easier, we don't use this phrase.
You can, but it sounds funny. I moved the goalposts on my diet implies you are cheating on your own rules!
No, it is a standard idiom. It is safe to use in professional emails and news articles.
There isn't a direct idiom, but you could say someone is sticking to the plan or playing fair.
عبارات مرتبط
Change the rules mid-stream (To change rules during a process)
A moving target (A goal that is constantly changing)
Level playing field (A situation where everyone has the same rules/opportunities)
Stack the deck (To arrange things unfairly against someone)
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