From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishmove/shift the goalpostsmove/shift the goalpostsBritish English informalCHANGE/MAKE something DIFFERENT to change the rules, limits etc for something while someone is trying to do something, making it more difficult for them – used to show disapproval → goalpost
Examples from the Corpus
move/shift the goalposts• It has been subtly shifting the goalposts of what can be done in and through art.• The answer to failure and sin is not to move the goalposts but to repent and try again. 