move the goalposts
条件を変える
解説 Definition
途中で条件やルールを不当に変更すること。基準を恣意的に動かして公正さを欠く。
To change the rules or conditions in an unfair way after someone has already tried to meet them. It is often used when a person or group makes success harder by asking for something different later. This idiom is common in arguments, negotiations, and complaints about unfair behavior.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
ゴールポストは、サッカーで言えば『ここに入れば得点』という基準そのもの。試合の途中でそれを動かされたら、同じプレーでも急に成功にならなくなります。この場面をそのまま思い浮かべると、議論・交渉・評価で相手が途中から条件や合格ラインをずらす意味が定着します。単なる plan change ではなく、相手に不利になるよう基準を変える不公平さが核です。評価基準・締切・要求水準の話で出たらこの表現を疑うと覚えやすいです。
Picture a football game where the goalposts are moved during the match. The target was clear, but suddenly the rules change and the same shot no longer counts. This helps you remember that the phrase is about changing the standard in an unfair way.
例文
The client kept moving the goalposts, adding new requirements every week.
クライアントは毎週新しい要件を追加し、条件を変え続けた。
It's frustrating when the government moves the goalposts on tax regulations without warning.
政府が予告なく税制の条件を変更するのは苛立たしい。
If you keep moving the goalposts, we'll never be able to finish this project.
条件を変え続けたら、このプロジェクトは永遠に終わらない。
move the goalposts の類義語・関連語
紛らわしい語
move the goalposts の語源・成り立ち Etymology
goalpostはgoal+postの複合語で、goalは中英語の『到達点』、postはラテン語postis『柱』にさかのぼる。競技中に柱ごと動かせば狙う場所が変わるため、『条件を途中で変える』の比喩になった。goalkeeperも同じgoalを持つ。
Goalpost is a compound of goal and post: goal developed in Middle English with the sense of a target or end point, and post comes from Latin postis, meaning "doorpost" or "upright pillar." In sports, moving the goalposts would unfairly change where success is measured. That image gave rise to the figurative meaning of changing the rules or standards after the process has already begun.
外部辞書で調べる
この単語を英単語クイズで覚えよう