a cheap goal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a cheap goal" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts such as sports, particularly in soccer or hockey, to describe a goal that is scored with little effort or skill, often due to a mistake by the opposing team. Example: "The striker managed to score a cheap goal after the defender slipped and lost control of the ball."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

The second goal was a cheap goal to give away, the third goal might have been a handball from Cole but that is neither here nor there.

The Guardian - Sport

Nemanja Vidic, signed to bring leadership to Inter's defence, has now been sent off in one game, given away a cheap goal in another, and then surrendered a penalty on Sunday.

The Guardian - Sport

Durica, who bemoaned the concession of a "cheap" goal in stoppage time to Adam Lallana, claimed the red card decision by the Serbian referee, Milorad Mazic, was "really strict" before lurching into his conspiracy theory.

The Guardian - Sport

Wenger talked of conceding a "cheap goal" and he must have been startled by the carelessness of his team in the moments before and after Demichelis thudded a header past Wojciech Szczesny straight from a corner.

The Guardian - Sport

Swansea City manager Garry Monk: "It was a difficult start and we gave away a cheap goal but we started to create after that.

BBC

Everton were deflated after the concession of such a cheap goal and Carroll almost put Liverpool ahead with 13 minutes left, pulling a shot inches wide from 18 yards.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

The Isles' string of hospitality ended thanks to some plucky play and a tired Lalime, who let in another cheap goal on a 45-foot slap shot by Trent Hunter.

The New York Times - Sports

"We've given a cheap second goal away but we hung in for the last 20 minutes by getting a very good goal and to be honest at that stage Barnet were rocking.

BBC

Arsène Wenger berated his Arsenal players for a lack of urgency and incision after they conceded two "cheap goals" in suffering a first defeat since the opening weekend of the season in the League Cup quarter-finals against Southampton.

The Guardian - Sport

A decent run in the League Cup should offer him a last chance of success and he could not be accused of milking a lower-grade competition for cheap goals - this was his first in the League Cup for four years.

The Guardian - Sport

"When you're not going through a good spell you don't want to give away cheap goals and give yourself a mountain to climb".

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a cheap goal" when you want to emphasize that a goal was scored easily, often due to a mistake by the opposing team, rather than through skill or strategic play. It's suitable for sports commentary or informal analysis.

Common error

While acceptable in sports reporting and casual conversation, using "a cheap goal" might be too informal for academic papers or professional reports. In those settings, opt for more neutral language like "an easily conceded goal" or "a goal resulting from a defensive error".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a cheap goal" functions as an adjective-noun phrase, where "cheap" modifies the noun "goal". According to Ludwig AI, it's used to describe a goal scored with little effort or skill. It often indicates a mistake by the opposing team.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a cheap goal" is an adjective-noun phrase used primarily in sports contexts, particularly soccer and hockey, to describe a goal scored easily, often due to an error by the opposing team. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability, though its informal tone makes it less suitable for academic or professional writing. More formal alternatives include phrases like "an easily conceded goal" or "a goal resulting from a defensive error". While "a cheap goal" appears infrequently, when used, it is primarily found in news and media sources like The Guardian and BBC, and it is used to evaluate and describe a goal in a quick and easy way.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

An easy goal

Replaces 'cheap' with 'easy', emphasizing the lack of difficulty in scoring.

A soft goal

Substitutes 'cheap' with 'soft', suggesting the goal was conceded due to a weak defense.

An avoidable goal

Focuses on the preventability of the goal, highlighting a defensive error.

A gift goal

Implies the goal was essentially given to the scoring team due to a mistake.

A lucky goal

Suggests that the goal was scored more through luck than skill.

An underserved goal

Highlights that the goal wasn't earned through good play.

A fluke goal

Implies the goal was an unusual and unexpected occurrence.

A scrappy goal

Suggests the goal was scored in a messy or disorganized manner.

A preventable goal

Focuses on the idea that the goal could have been stopped.

A goal from nothing

Highlights that the goal came unexpectedly from a situation that didn't seem dangerous.

FAQs

What does it mean when a goal is described as "a cheap goal"?

Describing a goal as "a cheap goal" means it was scored easily, often because of a mistake or lapse in concentration by the defending team rather than skillful play by the attacking team.

Is it appropriate to use the phrase "a cheap goal" in formal writing?

The phrase "a cheap goal" is generally considered informal. For formal writing, it's better to use phrases like "an easily conceded goal" or "a goal resulting from a defensive error".

What are some alternatives to saying "a cheap goal"?

Alternatives include "an easy goal", "a soft goal", "an avoidable goal", or "a gift goal". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can the context influence the use of "a cheap goal"?

In sports journalism or commentary, "a cheap goal" adds color and expresses a quick assessment. In more analytical or formal contexts, a more descriptive phrase like "a goal due to a defensive blunder" might be more appropriate.