Move the Goalposts.
English
idiom
To change the rules after something has already started.
Trusted by1.5M+English learners & teachers worldwide
To change the rules after something has already started.
Trusted by1.5M+English learners & teachers worldwide
To change the rules after work has already started.
When someone moves the goalposts, what counts as success keeps shifting.
People say it when the change feels unfair.
"Raise the Bar"
—
To set a higher standard for everyone to aim for, usually from the start
"Pull the Rug Out"
—
To suddenly remove support or resources, leaving someone without warning
"Move the Goalposts"
—
Unfairly changing the target or rules after progress has already been made
They keep adding features to the scope — they're moving the goalposts every sprint.
We need a change-management process in place before this gets further out of hand.
You said last month you were happy with the savings plan, and now you want more?
You're right — I moved the goalposts and that wasn't fair. Let's agree on a fixed number.
The company told employees they'd get bonuses if the team hit the Q3 numbers.
And now they're saying the formula changed? Classic case of moving the goalposts.
