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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Wirtz runs towards his own goal, dragging a player out of the final line. Mark Carey, New York Times, 16 May 2025 Galaxy Maya Yoshida’s own goal dooms winless Galaxy to loss against Kansas City May 4, 2025 The team has suddenly become the best at worsts. Kevin Baxter, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2025 That has dropped to 2.4 since, a consequence of receiving possession in more advanced positions, rather than when facing towards his own goal as a No 6. Chris Waugh, New York Times, 9 May 2025 When news about Alhurra filtered out — along with talk that even MBN might shut down — many observers saw it as an own goal, a misguided rollback of U.S. soft power in the Middle East. Nabih Bulos, Los Angeles Times, 3 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for own goal

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Cite this Entry

“Own goal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/own%20goal. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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