Phrase guide

move the goalposts

verb · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈmuːv ðə ˈɡəʊlpəʊsts/
  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈmuːv ðə ˈɡɔʊlpəʊsts/
  • General-American: /ˈmuːv ðə ˈɡoʊlpoʊst/
  • Australia: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To alter the terms of an agreement or an agreed target, or the rules of a negotiation while it is ongoing, especially in an unfair way.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • This is a Government that meets its economic targets and does not move the goalposts.
  • We were given a moving date, and an exchange date, but the buyers kept moving the goalposts and giving us a later date.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

A metaphor of British origin derived from association football (soccer), from the idea that it is difficult for a player to kick the ball into the goal if it is moved.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Cantonese: 搬龍門 /搬龙门 — to alter the terms of an agreement or an agreed target, or the rules of a negotiation while it is ongoing
  • Finnish: siirtää maalitolppia — to alter the terms of an agreement or an agreed target, or the rules of a negotiation while it is ongoing
  • Hungarian: menet közben változtatja meg a játékszabályokat — to alter the terms of an agreement or an agreed target, or the rules of a negotiation while it is ongoing
  • Hungarian: menet közben változtat a játékszabályokon — to alter the terms of an agreement or an agreed target, or the rules of a negotiation while it is ongoing
  • Polish: zmienić zasady gry — to alter the terms of an agreement or an agreed target, or the rules of a negotiation while it is ongoing
  • Romanian: schimba regulile jocului — to alter the terms of an agreement or an agreed target, or the rules of a negotiation while it is ongoing
  • Spanish: cambiar las reglas del juego — to alter the terms of an agreement or an agreed target, or the rules of a negotiation while it is ongoing
  • Spanish: donde dije digo, digo Diego — to alter the terms of an agreement or an agreed target, or the rules of a negotiation while it is ongoing