Moving the goalposts facts for kids
Moving the goalposts is a common saying, also called an idiom. It means that someone changes the rules or the target of a game or a discussion after it has already started. Imagine you are playing a game, and just as you are about to win, the other player suddenly moves the finish line! That's what "moving the goalposts" feels like.
This phrase describes changing what you need to achieve to win or succeed. In an argument or a competition, one side might do this to gain an unfair advantage.
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Where the Phrase Comes From
This saying comes from sports like football (soccer) or American football. In these games, players try to score by getting the ball into a goal. If someone were to literally move the goalposts during a game, it would be very unfair!
The phrase became more common in writing over time. In 1978, a newspaper called The Washington Post used the phrase. They quoted the boss of American Airlines saying, "They keep moving the goal posts." In Britain, people started using it in print around 1987.
What It Means in Arguments
Unfair Arguments
"Moving the goalposts" is a type of logical fallacy. A fallacy is a mistake in thinking or arguing. In an argument, if you give good reasons or facts to support your point, and then the other person suddenly asks for completely different reasons, they are "moving the goalposts."
It's like trying to score a goal, and right after you kick the ball, the goalposts are moved away. This makes your effort count for less, or not at all. Changing the rules in the middle of a discussion makes it hard to reach a fair conclusion.
Moving Goalposts and Bullying
Bullying Tactics
Sometimes, "moving the goalposts" can be a tactic used in bullying. This happens when a bully sets goals or tasks that keep changing, making it impossible for someone to succeed. For example, a bully might ask you to do something, and when you do it, they say, "No, I meant something else," and change the task again.
In places like a workplace or even at school, this unfair tactic can make people feel frustrated and helpless. It's a way to keep someone from ever meeting expectations, no matter how hard they try.
