Move the goalposts Meaning in English
expression
परिभाषा
To change the rules or conditions of a situation while someone is trying to achieve something, making it harder for them to succeed.
उपयोग और बारीकियां
Commonly used in both work and daily life, usually to complain about unfairness. The phrase is informal and often appears as an accusation that someone is being unreasonable. Similar phrases: 'change the rules (in the middle of the game)', 'raise the bar' (not always unfair).
उदाहरण वाक्य
Every time I finish my work, my boss moves the goalposts and asks for something else.
basic
It's not fair to move the goalposts in the middle of a game.
basic
The teacher moved the goalposts by adding a new assignment after the deadline.
basic
Just when I was about to qualify for the bonus, they moved the goalposts and changed the criteria.
natural
It feels like the rules keep changing—you can't succeed if they always move the goalposts.
natural
Honestly, I’m tired of them moving the goalposts every time I meet the targets.
natural