General
woodwork
What does woodwork mean?
The frame of the goal; a shot 'off the woodwork' hits a post or the bar despite it no longer being wooden.
"He rattled the woodwork twice before finally scoring."
Origin
Historical: goals used to be made of wood.
Frequently asked questions
What does woodwork mean in football?
Woodwork is a collective term for the frame of the goal — the two posts and the crossbar. A shot 'off the woodwork' hits a post or the bar.
Why is it called the woodwork if goalposts aren't wooden?
The term dates from when goalposts and crossbars really were made of wood. Modern goals are metal, but the phrase 'woodwork' has stuck.
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