Move the goalposts means change the rules or requirements after someone has already started: we supplied the requested photos, but they moved the goalposts and asked for a video too. It's a football image: you're about to shoot, and the goal moves. It sounds like an accusation of unfairness.
When would you say move the goalposts?
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move the goalposts after someone has started; keep moving the goalposts
- We supplied the requested photos, but they moved the goalposts and asked for a video too.
- It is hard to finish when the team keeps moving the goalposts.
- The new rule moved the goalposts for applicants who had already prepared their portfolios.
What changed
First versionThe committee moved the goalpost after we had completed the required work.
RevisionThe committee moved the goalposts after we had completed the required work.
A goal is one thing, so goalpost in the singular seems enough. But a goalpost is one post, and a goal has two. So the idiom uses goalposts.
Change the plan is neutral. Raise the bar means set a higher standard, which can even be praise. Move the goalposts means shift the conditions when someone has nearly met the old ones.
Your turn
Use the fixed idiom: They keep moving the ___ whenever we meet the latest requirements.
Show the answer
goalposts — The idiom always uses goalposts: a goal has two posts.
Describe a time when a new requirement suddenly appeared after the task was already done, using move the goalposts.
They moved the goalposts by asking for printed copies after everyone had submitted the files online.
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