move the finish line back

[muːv ðə ˈfɪnɪʃ laɪn bæk]

verb phrase

recuar a linha de chegada

1. To postpone or delay a deadline, goal, or expected completion date

The project deadline keeps getting pushed back; they've moved the finish line back three times already.

O prazo do projeto continua sendo adiado; eles recuaram a linha de chegada três vezes já.

2. To change the terms of an agreement or expectation to be less demanding or further away

When the initial target seemed unachievable, the team decided to move the finish line back.

Quando a meta inicial pareceu inatingível, a equipe decidiu recuar a linha de chegada.

3. Figuratively, to lower standards or reduce expectations

We can't keep moving the finish line back every time we face a challenge.

Não podemos continuar recuando a linha de chegada toda vez que enfrentamos um desafio.

NYC Slang

push back the deadline; kick the can down the road

Synonyms

Antonyms

Regional Variations

General Brazilian

recuar a linha de chegada

Most common usage in Brazilian Portuguese

São Paulo

adiar o prazo final

Alternative phrasing, commonly used in business contexts

Portugal

adiar a meta

Portuguese preference for 'meta' instead of 'linha de chegada'

General Brazilian

estender o prazo

Alternative phrase meaning to extend the deadline

move the goalposts

change the rules mid-game

shift the parameters

kick the can down the road

delay the inevitable

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