move the goalposts UK /ˈmuːv ðə ˈɡəʊlpəʊsts/US /ˈmuːv ðə ˈɡoʊlpoʊst/ verb1 •To alter the terms of an agreement or an agreed target, or the rules of a negotiation while it is ongoing, especially in an unfair way.This is a Government that meets its economic targets and does not move the goalposts.We were given a moving date, and an exchange date, but the buyers kept moving the goalposts and giving us a later date. formsmoved the goalposts · moving the goalposts · moves the goalposts