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

Every time I meet their requirements, they move the goalposts. The government keeps moving the goalposts on emissions targets. Stop moving the goalposts - we agreed on these terms.

move the goalposts

Q: What does "move the goalposts" mean?

change the rules or targets unfairly To change the criteria for success after someone has worked toward the original goal. An unfair tactic that makes winning impossible.

Slang Term BritishAmericanAustralian Unknown Neutral

Meaning: change the rules or targets unfairly

不公平地改变规则或目标

Cambiar las reglas o los objetivos de forma injusta.

ルールや目標を不当に変更する

규칙이나 목표를 부당하게 변경하다

To change the criteria for success after someone has worked toward the original goal. An unfair tactic that makes winning impossible.

在别人已经朝着原来的目标努力之后改变成功标准。一种让人无法取胜的不公平手段。

Cambiar los criterios de éxito después de que alguien ha trabajado para alcanzar la meta original. Una táctica injusta que hace imposible ganar.

元の目標に向かって努力した後に成功の基準を変えること。勝つことを不可能にする卑怯な手口。

누군가가 원래 목표를 위해 노력한 뒤에 성공 기준을 변경하는 것. 승리를 불가능하게 만드는 부당한 전술.

Examples

Every time I meet their requirements, they move the goalposts.
每次我达到了他们的要求，他们就改规则。
Cada vez que cumplo sus requisitos, cambian las condiciones.
要件を満たすたびにゴールポストを動かされる。
요건을 충족할 때마다 골대를 옮긴다.
The government keeps moving the goalposts on emissions targets.
政府不断改变排放目标。
El gobierno no para de cambiar los objetivos de emisiones.
政府は排出目標を変え続けている。
정부는 배출 목표를 계속 바꾸고 있다.
Stop moving the goalposts - we agreed on these terms.
别再改条件了——我们说好了的。
Deja de cambiar las reglas; acordamos estas condiciones.
条件を変えるのはやめてくれ、合意したはずだ。
골대를 옮기지 마, 이 조건으로 합의했잖아.

Pronunciation

Usage Guide

Context: business, politics, argument

Tone: accusatory

✓ Do Say

Complain about unfair changes
抱怨不公平的改变
Quejarse de cambios injustos
不当な変更に対して不満を言う
부당한 변경에 대해 불만을 나타낼 때

✗ Don't Say

For legitimate rule changes
不用于合理的规则调整
No se usa para cambios de reglas legítimos
正当なルール変更には使わない
정당한 규칙 변경에는 부적절

Origin & History

Football metaphor - if you move the goalposts, previously successful shots would miss. Widely used in business and politics.

Cultural Context

Era: modern

Generation: all ages

Social background: all