move/shift the goalposts

: to go or pass to another place or in a certain direction with a continuous motion

: to proceed toward a certain state or condition

: to become transferred during play

: the act of moving a piece (as in chess)

: the turn of a player to move

: a step taken especially to gain an objective : maneuver

: to exchange for or replace by another : change

: to change the place, position, or direction of : move

: to make a change in (place)

: a means or device for effecting an end

: a deceitful or underhand scheme : dodge

: an effort or expedient exerted or tried in difficult circumstances : extremity

: one of usually two vertical posts that with or without a crossbar constitute the goal in various games