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shift the goalpost

[ʃɪft ðə ˈɡoʊlpoʊst]
verb phrase
mudar as regras do jogo; mover a trave
1. To change the criteria or standards of judgment unfairly after something has already started, making it impossible to meet the original expectations
The company keeps shifting the goalpost on project requirements, making it impossible to deliver on time.
A empresa continua mudando as regras do jogo sobre os requisitos do projeto, tornando impossível entregar no prazo.
2. To alter the terms of an agreement or challenge in the middle of proceedings
They agreed to a budget, but then shifted the goalpost by demanding additional features without extra pay.
Eles concordaram com um orçamento, mas depois moveram a trave ao exigir recursos adicionais sem pagamento extra.
NYC Slang
switch it up on someone; change the game on someone
Synonyms
move the goalpostschange the rulesmove the finish linekeep changing the target
Antonyms
keep the rules stablemaintain consistencyhonor the agreement

Regional Variations

General Brazilian
mudar as regras do jogo
Most common expression in Brazilian Portuguese
General Brazilian
mover a trave
Direct translation, used in sports contexts
Portugal
alterar os critérios
More formal alternative in European Portuguese
Portugal
mudar a meta
Alternative used in Portuguese

Related Idioms & Phrases

move the finish line
change the rules midstream
move the target
keep changing the game
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