moving goalposts
Ever-changing success criteria
Moving goalposts describes changing the criteria for success or acceptance after someone has already met the original standard.
The metaphor comes from sports—imagine a player about to score only to find the goal has shifted.
It typically accuses someone of arguing in bad faith: Every time I meet her requirements, she moves the goalposts.
The phrase often appears as moving the goalposts or shifting the goalposts.
- shiftingChanging position or form
- deflectionChange in trajectory
- evasionAct of escaping detection
- straw manFake version to demolish
- unfairUnjust or partial
constantly changing · double standard · argument · debate · manipulation · bait and switch · changing · rules · rigged game · excuse · dishonest · frustrating · impossible · target · finish line · not good enough · standard · criteria
- unfairnessunfair, unjust, biased, unequal, inequitable
- logical fallaciesfallacy, straw man, ad hominem, red herring, false dilemma
- manipulationgaslighting, guilt tripping, blame-shifting, brainwashing, guilt trip
- manipulation tacticsgaslighting, guilt trip, guilt-tripping, guilt tripping, emotional blackmail
- rhetoric termsethos, pathos, logos, ad hominem, oratory
- unrealistic expectationsimpossible standards, miracles, instant results, flawless execution, perfectionism
moving goalpostsgood faith
Sincere, honest intent
intellectual honesty · good faith argument · fair dealing · fair play · logical consistency
moving goalpostsclear expectations
straight shooting · telling it like it is · cards on the table
moving, goalposts, moves, movers, movement, movements, movable, immovable, goalpost