moves the goalposts
Shifts success criteria
To move the goalposts is to change the criteria for success after someone has already met the original standard.
The phrase comes from sports—literally repositioning the goal would make scoring impossible.
It describes unfair argumentation or shifting expectations: Every time I meet her requirements, she moves the goalposts.
The accusation implies bad faith: the person was never going to accept any outcome.
Judging others differently than yourself
- bait and switchFraudulent sales tactic
- bad faithIntentional deception in dealings
- renegotiateDiscuss terms again
- redefineAssign fresh meaning
arbitrary · capricious · underhanded · deceptive · scheming · trickery · duplicitous · subterfuge
Denial of fair treatment
- inequityUnfair distribution or treatment
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
- unethicalViolating moral standards
- unreasonableNot guided by reason
partiality · discrimination · favoritism · unjust · prejudice · disparity · exploitation · unbalanced
Discuss terms again
realign · reassess · recalibrate · walkback · backpedal · scope creep · haggling · leverage
Intense weary annoyance
- futilityLack of purpose
- bewildermentState of being baffled
- disillusionmentBitter loss of faith
- discouragementLoss of confidence
defeat · helplessness · impossibility · no-win situation · Sisyphean · thankless · unattainable · unwinnable
double standards
Judging others differently than yourself
- bait and switchFraudulent sales tactic
- bad faithIntentional deception in dealings
- renegotiateDiscuss terms again
redefine · arbitrary · capricious · underhanded · deceptive · scheming · trickery · duplicitous · subterfuge · crafty
injustice
Denial of fair treatment
- inequityUnfair distribution or treatment
- biasUnfair inclination or prejudice
- unethicalViolating moral standards
unreasonable · partiality · discrimination · favoritism · unjust · prejudice · disparity · exploitation · unbalanced · skewed
renegotiate
Discuss terms again
redefine · realign · reassess · recalibrate · walkback · backpedal · scope creep · haggling · leverage · power play
exasperation
Intense weary annoyance
- futilityLack of purpose
- bewildermentState of being baffled
- disillusionmentBitter loss of faith
discouragement · defeat · helplessness · impossibility · no-win situation · Sisyphean · thankless · unattainable · unwinnable · demoralizing