own goal

noun

chiefly British : a goal in soccer, hockey, etc., that a player accidentally scores against his or her own team

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

These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

And with the Packers backed up by their own goal line, Rams outside linebacker Byron Young shoved Love toward the back of the end zone. —

Adam Grosbard, Orange County Register, 6 Oct. 2024 Dušan Tadić had given Fenerbahçe the lead earlier in the match before an own goal from Thalisson completed a 2-0 victory. —

George Ramsay, CNN, 30 Sep. 2024 The difference is that each table has its own goal in its gameplay, which will then affect others. —

Amy Schwabe, Journal Sentinel, 25 Sep. 2024 The Spanish squad made mistake after mistake, the most embarrassing being an own goal in the sixth minute that gave Brazil an early 1-0 lead. —

Gadi Schwartz, NBC News, 7 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for own goal