move the goalposts
Shift success criteria
To move the goalposts is to change the criteria for success after someone has already met the original standard.
The metaphor comes from sports—literally repositioning the goal would make scoring impossible.
It implies unfairness: Every time I meet her expectations, she moves the goalposts.
Often used to criticize shifting standards in arguments, negotiations, or workplace evaluations.
- cheatingDeceptive rule-breaking
- rigged gameContest with predetermined outcome
- foul playCriminal or violent action
- bad actorMalevolent participant
- deceptionIntentional misleading of others
dishonesty · gaslighting · manipulation · bad faith · in bad faith · change · requirements · unfairness · no fair · shift · shifting sands · retroactive · bait and switch · fine print · criteria · rules · benchmarks · standards
- sports idiomsdrop the ball, throw in the towel, slam dunk, out of left field, level playing field
- Soccergoal, soccer, pass, football, goalkeeper
- Competition idiomslevel playing field, down to the wire, neck and neck, win hands down, come from behind
- corporate jargonsynergy, stakeholders, deep dive, circle back, leverage
- Cricket Idiomssticky wicket, not cricket, bowled over, stumped, on the back foot
move the goalpostsstay the course
Continue despite difficulties
play by the rules · hold the line · hold steady · keep one's word · stability
move, moving, movement, movable, moves, movers, movements, goalposts, goalpost