own goal

[ ohn-gohl ]

noun

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: The goalkeeper's own goal was a stunningly bad moment.Abbreviation: o.g.
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.

Origin of own goal

First recorded in 1920–25

Words Nearby own goal

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use own goal in a sentence

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.
Getting Pinned Down At The 1-Yard Line Isn’t As Bad As You Think | Josh Hermsmeyer | August 19, 2021 | FiveThirtyEight
In fact, Nigeria first got on the scoresheet courtesy of an own goal from Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos.
25 Years Ago, Nigeria’s Super Eagles Won Olympic Gold—and Changed the World of African Soccer | Kovie Biakolo | August 2, 2021 | Time
Your husband’s approach is the one most likely to achieve your own goals, albeit at a future date.
Miss Manners: Relative lets out long-held grudges | Judith Martin, Nicholas Martin, Jacobina Martin | June 17, 2021 | 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.
In this love story, a few bits of wisdom amid woefully out-of-date ‘lessons’ | Mandy Len Catron | April 23, 2021 | Washington Post
Now she coaches other young women to achieve their own goals.
How Burnout Led This Pro Cyclist to Redefine Success | Outside Editors | November 28, 2020 | Outside Online

British Dictionary definitions for own goal

own goal

noun

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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