Definition

1. Noun:
   • An instance in soccer (football) where a player accidentally scores a goal against their own team: This is the primary and specific meaning, referring to the action of a player unintentionally putting the ball into their own team's net, which counts as a goal for the opposing team.

Usage

• The term "own goal" is used exclusively as a noun.
• It is most commonly used in the context of soccer (association football), but the concept can be metaphorically applied to other sports with similar scoring systems.
• It describes an accidental, self-inflicted error that benefits the opponent.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The defender's terrible mistake resulted in an own goal.
  • They lost the match 1-0 due to an unfortunate own goal in the 89th minute.
  • Scoring an own goal is every player's nightmare.

Advanced Usage

• Metaphorical Use: In broader, non-sporting contexts, "own goal" can describe any action that accidentally harms one's own interests or benefits a competitor or opponent.
  • The company's poorly worded statement was a public relations own goal.
  • By arguing so aggressively, the politician scored an own goal and lost public sympathy.

Variants and Related Words

• Self-goal: A less common synonym, primarily used in Indian English.
• OG: A common abbreviation used in match statistics and informal commentary (e.g., "The final score was 2-1, with one OG.").

Synonyms

• Self-inflicted goal (rare)
• Accidental goal against (descriptive)

Idioms and Common Phrases

• To score an own goal: This is the standard phrase used to describe the action.
  • The striker tried to clear the ball but ended up scoring an own goal.
• (Metaphorical) An own goal: Used to label a counterproductive action.
  • Cutting the research budget was an own goal for the innovation department.

Noun

1. (soccer) a goal that results when a player inadvertently knocks the ball into the goal he is defending
   • the own goal cost them the game