goalposts
Kicker's twin pillars
Goalposts are the vertical posts that define the scoring area in sports like football, soccer, and hockey, typically connected by a crossbar.
The phrase move the goalposts describes changing the rules or criteria after someone has already begun working toward a goal, making success harder to achieve.
This figurative use suggests unfairness—like literally relocating the posts mid-game so a player can't score.
Vertical load-bearing posts
- crossbarHorizontal bar between uprights
- netFinal amount remaining
- fieldArea of specialty
- endzoneFootball field's scoring rectangle
touchdown · score · penalty · conversion · kickoff · stadium · pitch · gridiron
Emotionally affecting
- changingBecoming something else
- standardsAccepted levels of quality
- criteriaStandards for judgment
- expectationsBeliefs about future outcomes
benchmarks · targets · requirements · thresholds · parameters · unfair · manipulation · negotiation
Imposed maximum points
- parametersDefined boundaries or constraints
- constraintsLimits on action
- thresholdsEntry boundaries or limits
- markersPens with porous tips
demarcation · scope · framework · confines · perimeters · edges · definition · range
Notable event marking progress
- targetObject of pursuit
- objectivePurpose or goal
- aimPurpose or direction
- finish lineRace completion marker
destination · endpoint · aspiration · ambition · success · attainment · completion · fulfillment
uprights
Vertical load-bearing posts
endzone · touchdown · score · penalty · conversion · kickoff · stadium · pitch · gridiron · referee
moving
Emotionally affecting
expectations · benchmarks · targets · requirements · thresholds · parameters · unfair · manipulation · negotiation · frustration
limits
Imposed maximum points
- parametersDefined boundaries or constraints
- constraintsLimits on action
- thresholdsEntry boundaries or limits
markers · demarcation · scope · framework · confines · perimeters · edges · definition · range · extent
milestone
Notable event marking progress
finish line · destination · endpoint · aspiration · ambition · success · attainment · completion · fulfillment · pursuit
- rugbyscrum, try, rugby, Rugby World Cup, rugby union
- footballfootball, touchdown, quarterback, end zone, pass
- Football Fieldend zone, endzone, gridiron, hash marks, midfield
- soccer pitchtouchline, penalty area, penalty box, center circle, six-yard box
- sports gearbasketball, baseball, football, soccer ball, volleyball
- stadium featuresfield, stands, seats, seating, net
goalpostscenter circle
Court's middle marking
midfield · halfway line · center spot · starting line · touchline
goalpostsdefensive wall
Barrier for protection
net · crossbar · boundary line · stands · out of bounds
- move the goalpostsChange rules unfairly midway
- moving the goalpostsChanging rules mid-argument
- shift the goalpostsChange criteria unfairly
- moved the goalpostsChanged criteria unfairly midway
- moving goalpostsAltering criteria during evaluation
- goalpost movingChanging criteria after fact