own goal
Teammate scores against
An own goal is a score against one's own team, typically in soccer when a player accidentally kicks the ball into their own net.
Figuratively, it describes any action that backfires or harms one's own interests: The senator's tweet was a spectacular own goal that energized his opponents.
Clumsy social error
- fiascoHumiliating public failure
- howlerEmbarrassingly obvious mistake
- clangerGlaring embarrassing error
- blooperEmbarrassing recorded mistake
snafu · mishap · flub · bungle · botch · slip-up · goof · miscue
Field sport with goals
- footballField sport with goals
- defenderOne who guards another
- netFinal amount remaining
- scoreNumerical standing in competition
concede · match · pitch · stadium · opponent · crossbar · post · corner
Self-returning thrown weapon
- reboundReturn after deflection
- blowbackUnintended negative consequences
- counterproductiveHindering intended outcome
- repercussionIndirect result of action
fallout · reversal · recoil · misfire · adverse · unintended consequence · ironic · karmic
Caused by oneself
- self-destructiveHarmful to oneself
- undermineWeaken by stealth
- sabotageDeliberate disruption of operations
- handicapImposed competitive disadvantage
Done without intention
- unintentionalNot done on purpose
- unluckyProne to misfortune
- deflectionChange in trajectory
- ricochetAngled deflection off surface
mishit · misdirect · fumble · slip · misjudgment · miscalculation · freak · unfortunate
gaffe
Clumsy social error
- fiascoHumiliating public failure
- howlerEmbarrassingly obvious mistake
- clangerGlaring embarrassing error
blooper · snafu · mishap · flub · bungle · botch · slip-up · goof · miscue · faux pas
soccer
Field sport with goals
score · concede · match · pitch · stadium · opponent · crossbar · post · corner · header
boomerang
Self-returning thrown weapon
- reboundReturn after deflection
- blowbackUnintended negative consequences
- counterproductiveHindering intended outcome
repercussion · fallout · reversal · recoil · misfire · adverse · unintended consequence · ironic · karmic · poetic justice
self-inflicted
Caused by oneself
- self-destructiveHarmful to oneself
- undermineWeaken by stealth
- sabotageDeliberate disruption of operations
handicap · jeopardize · detrimental · impairment · counterproductive
inadvertent
Done without intention
- unintentionalNot done on purpose
- unluckyProne to misfortune
- deflectionChange in trajectory
ricochet · mishit · misdirect · fumble · slip · misjudgment · miscalculation · freak · unfortunate · miskick
- soccer mistakeshandball, foul, red card, yellow card, penalty
- footballfootball, touchdown, quarterback, end zone, pass
- Soccersoccer, pass, football, offside, striker
- sports mistakesfumble, bad pass, dropped pass, wild throw, bad throw
- self-defeatingself-sabotage, backfire, boomerang effect
- Unintended Consequencesbackfire, blowback, backlash, Streisand effect
own goalgoal
Desired end result
winning goal · match-winner · screamer · strike · finish
own goalmasterstroke
Supremely skillful action
coup · winning move · triumph · strategic victory · self-advancement
own, goal, goalie, goalkeeper, goalpost, goalless, goalscorer, goalmouth, goal-oriented