How do you use "Move the goalposts" in a sentence?

They keep moving the goalposts on the project. The requirements changed—they moved the goalposts. Stop moving the goalposts!

Move the goalposts

Q: What does "Move the goalposts" mean?

To unfairly change the rules or requirements midway. From football—if you moved the goalposts during a game, it would be cheating. Used for changing standards after something has started.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Neutral

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Meaning: To unfairly change the rules or requirements midway.

中途不公平地改变规则或要求

Cambiar las reglas o requisitos de forma injusta a mitad de camino.

途中でルールや要件を不当に変更する

도중에 규칙이나 조건을 부당하게 바꾸다

From football—if you moved the goalposts during a game, it would be cheating. Used for changing standards after something has started.

源自足球——如果在比赛中移动球门柱就是作弊。用于指开始后改变标准。

Del fútbol—si movieras los postes durante un partido, sería hacer trampa. Se usa para cambiar los estándares después de que algo ha empezado.

サッカー由来の表現。試合中にゴールポストを動かしたらチートになる。何かが始まった後に基準を変えることに使われる。

축구에서 유래—경기 도중 골대를 옮기면 반칙이 되는 것처럼, 무언가 시작된 후 기준을 변경하는 것을 의미한다.

Literal meaning: Relocate the football goals

Examples

They keep moving the goalposts on the project.
他们一直在改变项目的要求
Siguen cambiando las reglas del proyecto
彼らはプロジェクトの要件をころころ変える
그들은 프로젝트의 기준을 계속 바꾼다.
The requirements changed—they moved the goalposts.
要求变了，他们改变了游戏规则
Los requisitos cambiaron, movieron los postes
要件が変わった、ゴールポストを動かされた
요구 사항이 바뀌었다—골대를 옮긴 거야.
Stop moving the goalposts!
别老改规则！
¡Deja de cambiar las reglas!
ルールを変えるのはやめて！
기준을 바꾸는 건 그만해!

Pronunciation

/muːv ðə ˈɡəʊlpəʊsts/

Usage Guide

Context: unfairness, changing rules, business

Tone: frustrated, accusatory

✓ Do Say

Moving the goalposts.
移动球门柱
Mover los postes
ゴールポストを動かしている
골대를 옮기고 있어
Stop moving the goalposts.
别改规则
Deja de cambiar las reglas
ルールを変えるな
기준 좀 바꾸지 마
The goalposts keep moving.
标准一直在变
Los estándares siguen cambiando
基準がころころ変わる
기준이 계속 바뀌어

✗ Don't Say

Changing the rules
Changing the rules（改变规则）
Changing the rules（Cambiar las reglas）
Changing the rules（ルールを変える）
Changing the rules（규칙을 바꾸다）
Moving the target
Moving the target（移动目标）
Moving the target（Mover el objetivo）
Moving the target（目標を変える）
Moving the target（목표를 옮기다）

Common Mistakes

Very common in business English
Always implies unfairness

Origin & History

From football—the idea of unfairly moving the goals during play.

Etymology: Football metaphor, late 20th century

First recorded: 1980s

Cultural Context

Era: 1980s to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Business meetings; Political discourse

Regional notes: Universal English expression from football.

Variations

Move the goalpostsMoving the goalpostsGoalposts keep moving