What does 'move the goalposts' mean?
Definition
Meaning: Move the goalposts refers to changing the criteria or expectations for success after a task has begun, often making it harder to achieve—commonly used in transportation to describe shifting project deadlines or delivery requirements.
La signification : Move the goalposts désigne le fait de modifier les critères ou attentes de succès après le début d'une tâche, rendant souvent l'objectif plus difficile à atteindre, comme changer les délais ou exigences de livraison.
Example: The client moved the goalposts by demanding same-day delivery after we agreed on a three-day schedule.
Quote: "Some economists have suggested the Fed could move the goalposts on inflation, revising its 2% inflation target to the more attainable level of 3%." [CNN Business]
N.B.: This term highlights the challenge of adapting to unexpected changes in objectives, often in logistics or fleet management (e.g., revising routes or schedules mid-project).
Word Analysis
Français
»» Déplacer les poteaux
»» Changer les règles
»» Modifier les règles du jeu
»» Modifier les attentes
Les clients ont déplacé les poteaux en exigeant des livraisons le jour même.
Déplacer les poteaux en modifiant les itinéraires a perturbé la planification logistique.
English
»» Shift the target
»» Shift the goalposts
»» Change the rules
»» Alter expectations
The manager moved the goalposts by requiring electric vehicles for all deliveries.
Tightening delivery windows is a way to move the goalposts mid-project.
Dialogue
Logistics Manager: "Why are we behind on deliveries?"
Driver Supervisor: "The client moved the goalposts—they now want overnight shipping."
Manager: "That’s tough. Can we adjust routes to meet these new expectations?"
Supervisor: "We’ll try, but constantly moving the goalposts makes planning a nightmare."
Etymology
Origin: Sports metaphor, likely from football (soccer), where moving goalposts changes the target’s position, making scoring harder. Gained traction in business in the late 20th century.
Modern Usage: Common in transportation to describe shifting client demands or internal targets (e.g., changing delivery schedules).
Grammar Note: Verb phrase, used as a single unit (e.g., "They moved the goalposts again").
Audience
Ideal for logistics coordinators, fleet managers, and transportation planners dealing with dynamic project requirements or client expectations.
When to use: Use move the goalposts to describe situations where objectives shift unexpectedly, such as new delivery deadlines or route changes. Example: "The client moved the goalposts, so we need to rethink our schedule."
Extra! Extra!
For a visual exploration of move the goalposts, check out the following videos:
What 'move the goalposts' means
Narcissists love to move the goalposts
Wordreference
For more on our word of the day and its usage, visit WordReference for definitions, translations, and examples in context.
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» English⇄English – Discuss and learn about words and their usage.
» English⇄French – Explore translations and linguistic nuances.
» Synonyms⇄Antonyms – Contextual variations, etc.
Common Expressions & Collocations
Move the goalposts
Change the criteria or expectations mid-task.
Example: "The client moved the goalposts by requesting eco-friendly trucks."
Shift the target
Alter the original objectives or goals.
Example: "They shifted the target by demanding faster delivery times."
Change the rules
Modify the agreed-upon conditions.
Example: "Adding new routes was like changing the rules mid-journey."
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