goal-line
Definition
Noun (countable) - Sports: The "goal-line" is the line marking the boundary of the goal area in various sports, such as soccer, hockey, or American football. It is the line that a ball or puck must cross for a goal to be scored.
Usage Examples
- (The line that defines the goal area.)
- (The line at the end of the playing field near the goal.)
- (The line that separates the end zone from the field.)
Advanced Usage
- "on the goal-line": positioned directly at the boundary of the goal area, often used for defensive players.
- The goalkeeper stood on the goal-line, ready to block any shot. (The goalkeeper was positioned right at the line marking the goal.)
Variants and Related Words
Goal-line technology (n): a system used in sports to determine whether the ball has crossed the goal-line.
- The goal-line technology confirmed the goal was valid. (The electronic system verified the ball crossed the line.)
Goal-line stand (n): a defensive effort by a team to prevent the opposing team from scoring when they are very close to the goal-line.
- The team made a heroic goal-line stand to win the game. (They stopped the opponent from scoring near the goal.)
Synonyms
- End line: the line at the end of a sports field, especially in soccer or hockey, often synonymous with goal-line.
- Touchline (in some contexts): though more commonly referring to the side boundary, in rugby, the goal-line is also called the try-line.
Related Idioms
Cross the goal-line: to score a goal or touchdown.
- They finally crossed the goal-line in the last minute of the match. (They scored a crucial goal.)
Defend the goal-line: to protect the area near the goal from scoring attempts.
- The defender was praised for his ability to defend the goal-line under pressure. (He successfully prevented goals.)