own goal
noun
1
chiefly British
: a goal in soccer, hockey, etc., that a player accidentally scores against his or her own team
2
British
: something that one does thinking it will help him or her but that actually causes one harm
The workers scored an own goal by demanding such high wages that no one could afford to employ them.
Examples of own goal in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
San Jose coach Bruce Arena bemoaned giveaways that led to a goal by Austin’s Myrto Uzuni in the 33rd minute and an own goal by the Earthquakes in the 77th minute.
—
Jon Becker, Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2025
Kasper Schmeichel having to concede a free kick by punching a daft backpass off his own goal line, above, was their performance in a nutshell.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
In the third minute of second-half stoppage time, the Pride found a way back into the match thanks to a Louisville own goal.
—Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2025
Brazil equalised with a penalty on the stroke of half-time and took the initiative on the other side of the break, but suffered a setback due to a freak own goal.
—Neel Shelat, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for own goal
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Jon Becker, Mercury News, 31 Aug. 2025
Kasper Schmeichel having to concede a free kick by punching a daft backpass off his own goal line, above, was their performance in a nutshell.
—Phil Hay, New York Times, 27 Aug. 2025
In the third minute of second-half stoppage time, the Pride found a way back into the match thanks to a Louisville own goal.
—Kyle Foley, The Orlando Sentinel, 10 Aug. 2025
Brazil equalised with a penalty on the stroke of half-time and took the initiative on the other side of the break, but suffered a setback due to a freak own goal.
—Neel Shelat, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for own goal
Cite this Entry
“Own goal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/own%20goal. Accessed 10 Sep. 2025.
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