Example: It's unfair when people move the goalposts during a game.
Definition
"To move the goalposts" means to change the rules or conditions of a situation unfairly while it is ongoing, making it harder for someone to succeed or meet expectations. It often occurs in arguments, negotiations, or competitions to gain an advantage.
Translations
cambiar las reglas del juego
de doelpalen verplaatsen
canviar les regles del joc
déplacer les poteaux
die Torpfosten verschieben
Etymology
The phrase "to move the goalposts" originates from sports, particularly football or soccer, where physically moving the goalposts would alter the game unfairly. It evolved into a metaphor for changing criteria or rules during a process to make it more difficult for others, highlighting the unfairness of such actions.
Learn to use this expression actively
"To move the goalposts" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C2) - set 1", containing 106 commonly used expressions.
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