goalmouth

Everyday

The area right in front of the goal, between the goalposts, in football (soccer), hockey and similar games. tree →

In the lessons

In PE lessons and match reports «goalmouth» describes where the action is close to the goal: a goalmouth scramble is a messy fight for the ball in front of the goal. Phrases: goalmouth scramble, in the goalmouth, goalmouth action.

Examples

• There was a goalmouth scramble and Ellie scored. tree →
• The goalkeeper cleared the ball out of the goalmouth. tree →
• The muddy goalmouth made it hard to dive. tree →
• The ball bounced around the goalmouth before going in. tree →
• Commentators love exciting goalmouth action. tree →
• Defenders must guard the goalmouth at corners. tree →

Note

One word: goal + mouth. Plural: goalmouths. It is not a mouth: it is an opening, like the «mouth» of a river or a cave.