own goal

Definitions

1. A goal that results from a player putting the ball or puck into the goal of their own team; the resulting goal being scored for the opposition.
2. A blunder that damages one’s own prospects.
   figuratively

Equivalents

Examples

“It is 20 years to the day since Escobar was shot dead after scoring the own⟳ goal that effectively sealed Colombia’s elimination from USA ’94.”

“In its penultimate year, for example, starting from when the Provos blew up Canary Wharf in February 1996, the IRA suffered its last⟳ 'own⟳ goal' when Wexford-born Ed O'Brien blew himself up on a London bus whilst transporting a bomb.”

“No doubt⟳ the buzz of army helicopters will sound⟳ again in the skies over Belfast tonight, as loyalists continue⟳ to score⟳ this series of bloody own⟳ goals.”

“These elections mark⟳ a personal humiliation for incumbent Ms. May, who ran a very personalized campaign as a “strong and stable” leader asking British voters to give⟳ her a clear mandate to negotiate⟳ Brexit. Ms. May scored an unforced own⟳ goal by reducing her party’s parliamentary seats and absolute majority.”

CEFR level