How to Pronounce "move the goalposts"
expression
ˈmuv/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈɡoʊlˌpoʊsts
MOOV thuh GOHL-pohsts
mˈuːv/ /ðə, ði/ /ɡˈəʊlpəʊsts
MOOV thuh GOHL-pohsts
Definition
To change the rules or conditions of a situation while someone is trying to achieve something, making it harder for them to succeed.
IPA Transcription
American English
ˈmuv/ /ˈðə/, /ðə/, /ði/ /ˈɡoʊlˌpoʊsts
British English
mˈuːv/ /ðə, ði/ /ɡˈəʊlpəʊsts
Simplified Pronunciation
US
MOOV thuh GOHL-pohsts
UK
MOOV thuh GOHL-pohsts
Listen in Context
Every time I finish my work, my boss moves the goalposts and asks for something else.
It's not fair to move the goalposts in the middle of a game.
The teacher moved the goalposts by adding a new assignment after the deadline.
Just when I was about to qualify for the bonus, they moved the goalposts and changed the criteria.