- To unfairly change the rules, criteria, targets, or conditions of an activity, agreement, or competition while it is already in progress.
- This change typically makes it harder for someone to succeed or achieve the original objective.
- Implies unfairness, inconsistency, and often manipulation.
Explanation
Origin
- Comes from sports involving goals, primarily football (soccer) or rugby.
- Literally moving the physical goalposts during a game would obviously be cheating, making it harder or impossible for the opponent to score according to the agreed-upon rules.
- The metaphor extends to any situation where the defined target or requirements are altered unfairly after the process has started.
Synonyms & Related Expressions
Alternatives
Slang/Informal:
- Pulling a fast one (Deceiving or tricking someone, which unfair rule changes can be)
- Screwing someone over (Vulgar; general term for unfair treatment impacting someone negatively)
- Playing games (Implying manipulation and lack of straightforwardness)
- Jerking someone around (Treating someone unfairly, causing frustration)
More Formal:
- Unilaterally altering the terms/conditions/criteria
- Modifying objectives mid-stream without agreement
- Breach of agreed-upon parameters
- Inconsistent application of standards
Vulgar/Emphatic:
- Changing the fucking rules
- Fucking with the requirements
Situational Appropriateness
- Very common in business, project management, and contractual contexts.
- Can sound accusatory, so use thoughtfully, especially when speaking to or about superiors. Best used when unfairness is clear.
- Appropriate in informal and semi-formal discussions.
Misunderstanding Warnings
- Non-native speakers might need confirmation that it refers to changing rules or targets unfairly, not literally moving physical objects (unless discussing sports). The core meaning is the unfair alteration of expectations.
Examples
- We met all the initial project requirements, but then the client moved the goalposts by demanding new features at the last minute.
- Every time I reach the sales target for a bonus, management seems to move the goalposts.
- You can't just move the goalposts like that! We had an agreement.
Dialogue
Employee A: I'm really frustrated with this performance review.
Employee B: Why? I thought you exceeded your targets.
Employee A: I did, according to the objectives set at the start of the year. But now my manager is saying I also needed to lead a cross-departmental project, which was never mentioned before. He basically moved the goalposts.
Employee B: Wow, that's not fair at all. Did you point that out?
Social Media Examples
- Tweet: Client moved the goalposts again... Scope creep is real, folks. Time for a change order. #freelancelife #webdev
- LinkedIn Rant: Frustrated by companies that move the goalposts during the hiring process. Be clear about requirements upfront! #hiring #recruitment
- Forum Post: My landlord promised repairs by X date. Now saying Y. Feels like he's just moving the goalposts indefinitely.
Response Patterns
- Agreement/Sympathy: That's completely unfair!, I hate it when they do that., They can't just change the rules!
- Questioning: What did they change specifically?, Why would they do that now?
- Advice/Strategic Thinking: You need to challenge that., Did you get the original requirements in writing?, How can we address this?
Common Follow-up Questions/Actions
After someone complains about moving the goalposts:
- Asking for specifics: What were the original terms, and what are they now?, How exactly did they change things?
- Discussing responses: Are you going to push back?, What does this mean for the deadline/outcome?, Should we renegotiate?
- Sharing similar experiences: That reminds me of the time when...
Conversation Starter
- No. Used to describe or complain about a specific unfair action within an ongoing situation.
Intonation
- Often spoken with frustration, accusation, or disbelief.
- Emphasis usually falls on move and goalposts.
- They keep MOVING the GOALPOSTS!
Generation Differences
- Widely understood across generations familiar with goal-oriented tasks and potential unfairness in evaluations or agreements.
Regional Variations
- Especially common in British English, but well-understood and widely used in American, Australian, and other Englishes, particularly in business settings.