own goal

American  

[ohn gohl] / ˈoʊn ˌgoʊl /

noun

1. Soccer, Ice Hockey. an unintentional goal scored to the offense when the ball struck by a defensive player goes into the defensive team’s net: o.g.

   The goalkeeper's own goal was a stunningly bad moment.

2. an unintentional harm or disadvantage to oneself or one’s associates, brought about by one’s own action, often when the intention was to harm or disadvantage someone else.

   The prosecution’s relentless badgering proved to be an own goal, and a much-relieved defendant went free.

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own goal British  

noun

1.  o.g.  soccer a goal scored by a player accidentally playing the ball into his own team's net

2. informal any action that results in disadvantage to the person who took it or to a party, group, etc with which that person is associated

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Etymology

Origin of own goal

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

For us to go toe-to-toe with two Premier League teams and to only lose by an own goal is something I'm incredibly proud of.

From BBC

This was how he helped force Jack Hunt's own goal on the day too.

From BBC

Not after his own goal settled the Wear-Tyne derby a couple of months ago.

From BBC

Before the Swedish international put Gabriel Martinelli's excellent cross into the back of the net, own goals were the joint top source of goals for Arteta's side.

From BBC

Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow could then only parry another dangerous delivery from the England winger into his own goal before half-time.

From Barron's