goal line

IPA/ˈɡəʊl laɪn/
IPA/ˈɡəʊl laɪn/

goal line — noun

1. In sports like soccer and hockey, the marked line stretching across the back of

1.名詞B2
釋義

In sports like soccer and hockey, the marked line stretching across the back of each team's territory, with the goal placed at its centre.

例句

The referee checked whether the ball had fully crossed the goal line.

collocation: cross the goal line

Feng cleared the ball off the goal line just before it went in.

off the goal line for a defensive save

同義詞
  • goalmouth

    the area right in front of the goal, not the line itself

  • end line

    more general term for the line at the end of a court or field

反義詞

文法句型

the goal line

cross the goal line

on the goal line

用法筆記

Subject is usually the ball, puck, or a player; the verb is often 'cross', 'clear', or 'stand on'. Distinguish from sense 2: here the line marks where a goal is scored, not where a touchdown counts.

常見錯誤

The ball passed the goal post for a point.
The ball crossed the goal line for a point.
💡the goal line is the marked line, not the upright posts.

2. In American football, the marked line a ball carrier must break through or step

2.名詞B2
釋義

In American football, the marked line a ball carrier must break through or step beyond to record a touchdown for their team.

例句

Tomás carried the ball over the goal line for the winning touchdown.

carry over the goal line for a touchdown

The running back was tackled one step short of the goal line.

short of the goal line

同義詞
  • try line

    the equivalent line in rugby, where a try is scored

文法句型

reach the goal line

carry the ball over the goal line

用法筆記

Only this sense involves scoring a touchdown by getting the ball past the line. Distinguish from sense 1: in soccer or hockey the ball must fully cross the line into the goal, but here a player simply has to reach or break the plane of the line.

常見錯誤

He scored a touchdown when he stepped on the end zone.
He scored a touchdown when he crossed the goal line.
💡reaching the goal line, not just the end zone, is what counts.