Moving the goalposts

Moving the Goalposts

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An ice hockey goal, illustrating the concept of a goalpost.

"Moving the goalposts" is a metaphorical idiom that describes a situation where the criteria for success or completion of a task are changed after the task has already begun. This phrase is often used in discussions of debate, negotiation, and competition, where one party may alter the conditions to make it more difficult for the other party to achieve a goal.

Origin and Usage

The phrase "moving the goalposts" originates from the world of sports, where the physical goalposts define the area in which a team must score to achieve points. In sports like football and hockey, the goalposts are fixed structures, and moving them would unfairly alter the conditions of the game. The idiom has since been adopted into general language to describe any situation where the rules or conditions are changed unfairly.

Examples in Context

In a business setting, moving the goalposts might occur when a manager changes the targets for a project after the team has already started working towards the original goals. In politics, it can refer to changing the requirements for passing legislation or achieving policy objectives.

Psychological and Strategic Implications

Moving the goalposts can have significant psychological effects on individuals and teams. It can lead to feelings of frustration, demotivation, and distrust. Strategically, it may be used as a tactic to gain an advantage over an opponent by continually shifting the criteria for success.

Related Concepts

• Ad hominem
• Straw man
• Red herring
• Slippery slope

Related Pages

• Logical fallacy
• Debate
• Negotiation