own goal

[ ohn gohl ]

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.

own goal

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of own goal¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

He ultimately dumped it off to running back Artavis Pierce, who was quickly tackled shy of the sticks -- earning the Dolphins a three-and-out that’s actually rarer than we tend to think when a team is backed up near its own goal line.

From FiveThirtyEight

In fact, Nigeria first got on the scoresheet courtesy of an own goal from Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos.

From Time

Your husband’s approach is the one most likely to achieve your own goals, albeit at a future date.

From Washington Post

I’ve always believed it is the job of the book reviewer to meet the book where it is, to evaluate it according to the terms it sets out for itself, its own goals and priorities.

From Washington Post

Now she coaches other young women to achieve their own goals.

From Outside Online