What does goalpost mean?
A goalpost is one of the upright supports forming the goal in football, hockey, rugby, and other field sports. The word also refers figuratively to a condition, rule, or standard that determines whether an objective has been achieved. This figurative use became especially prominent through the expression “move the goalposts,” meaning to alter the criteria after a commitment or agreement has been made, usually in a way that makes success harder. The expression often suggests unfairness, opportunism, or a refusal to honour terms already accepted. Goalposts may also be discussed collectively as boundaries or requirements: a negotiator might insist that a proposal meet the goalposts, or a reviewer might say that an application falls short of them. The literal sporting meaning remains common, especially in reports and commentary, while the figurative meaning is broadly used in politics, business, law, education, and everyday argument. Its usefulness lies in capturing the familiar idea of standards changing in the middle of a contest.
An upright post forming part of a goal in football, hockey, rugby, or a similar game; figuratively, a stated condition or criterion used to judge success.
"The shot struck the goalpost and rebounded into play."
The plural form “goalposts” is standard. In figurative use, the expression “move the goalposts” denotes changing agreed conditions or standards after the fact.
To change the conditions, criteria, or rules of a situation after a commitment has been made, especially in a way that makes the agreed objective harder to achieve.
"The regulator goalposted the criteria just before the applications were assessed."
This verb is informal and chiefly associated with British English. It is closely associated with the figurative phrase “move the goalposts” and carries a critical connotation.
The plural is standard for the upright supports of a goal and for the figurative boundaries, criteria, or conditions associated with success.
"The officials moved the goalposts to the far side of the field."
A goalpost began as a piece of the goal, but the phrase “moving the goalposts” now means making the rules harder after the game has already begun.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of goalpost
“Goalpost” is an English compound formed from “goal” and “post.” The word developed in the nineteenth century as a sporting term for the upright supports of a goal, although the word “goal” itself is much older and has had several historical meanings. The figurative expression “moving the goalposts” developed later by analogy with changing the positions of the posts during a match.
How goalpost is actually used
The figurative expression “move the goalposts” is especially common in British, American, and Australian English. It normally implies that standards or conditions have been changed after a commitment has been made, often in a way that appears self-serving. The singular noun is still used when discussing the standards collectively, as in “the government moved the goalposts.”