goalpost

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goalpost

The soccer ball sails between the goalposts.

Definition

Noun: 1. A vertical post that forms part of a goal structure in sports: One of a pair of upright posts, often connected by a crossbar, that mark the boundary of a goal area in games like soccer, rugby, American football, and hockey. The objective is to send a ball or puck between these posts to score. 2. A metaphorical target or standard that is unfairly changed: Used figuratively to describe a rule, condition, or target that is altered, especially during the process of trying to achieve it, making success unfairly difficult.

Examples
  • Literal meaning:
    • The striker kicked the ball cleanly between the goalposts.
    • The rugby player collided with the left goalpost while attempting to score a try.
  • Figurative meaning:
    • Changing the project requirements at the last minute is like moving the goalposts.
    • They keep shifting the goalposts on the eligibility criteria, so no one can qualify.
Advanced Usage
  • "To move the goalposts" (idiom): To change the rules, criteria, or targets of a process or competition while it is still ongoing, making it harder for someone to succeed or win.
    • Example: Every time we meet a sales target, management moves the goalposts and sets a higher one.
Variants and Related Words
  • Goalposts (plural noun): The standard plural form, referring to the pair of posts.
  • Goal line (noun): The line on which the goalposts stand in sports like football and rugby.
  • Crossbar (noun): The horizontal bar that connects the two goalposts.
Synonyms
  • Upright (noun): Often used specifically for the vertical posts in sports like soccer and American football.
  • Post (noun): A simpler, more general term for the vertical support.
  • Target (noun): A synonym for the figurative meaning.
Related Idioms
  • Move the goalposts: As defined in 'Advanced Usage'.
  • Between the goalposts: Literally, the space through which a ball must go to score; sometimes used figuratively to mean "within the acceptable range or target area."
    • Example: His proposal landed right between the goalposts of what the committee was looking for.
goalpost

The soccer ball sails between the goalposts.

Noun
  1. one of a pair of posts (usually joined by a crossbar) that are set up as a goal at each end of a playing field