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
An own goal from Andre Dozzell a few minutes later drew the scores level before Martinelli headed in a corner to put Arsenal ahead as their excellence from set pieces continued.
—
Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2026
The Russian president lying to him about his home being attacked was an own goal.
—Editorial Board, Washington Post, 7 Jan. 2026
Like an outfielder losing a high pop-up in the stadium lights, Copley missed the puck completely on what was tantamount to an own goal.
—Andrew Knoll, Daily News, 24 Dec. 2025
After an early own goal gave Miami the lead, a second‑half assist from Lionel Messi set up Rodrigo De Paul for the go‑ahead goal in the 71st minute, and a late strike by Tadeo Allende sealed the win in stoppage time.
—Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Own goal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/own%20goal. Accessed 20 Jan. 2026.
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