Common phrase for something that changes while you are working on it

phrases

What is a common phrase to describe something that changes while you are working on it without your being aware of it.

For example: you are adding comments to a document, and when you submit them you see that the doc was completely changed in the meantime and your comments are not relevant.


Solution 1:

I would suggest moving target. Longman online (3) says:

a moving target something that is changing continuously, so that it is very difficult to criticize it or compete against it

Solution 2:

'Capricious' sounds like more close since its more close to being 'arbitrary'.

'Volatile' is also nice to use here but if it is regarding your example of a document it must be 'Dynamic'

Solution 3:

If you're looking for one with a negative connotation - you can say you are "building on quicksand".

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