in a difficult situation.

Simpson's thoughtless remarks put him behind the eight ball, and many people thought he should resign.

Etymology: from the game of pool (= a game played on a special table with sticks and numbered balls), in which you do not want to have any ball positioned behind the black ball marked with a number 8

• It's just not cricket!
• It's just one of those things.
• It's just one thing after another!
• It's more than my job's worth.
• It's no good crying over spilt milk.
• It's no skin off my nose.
• it's no skin off nose
• it's no skin off your nose
• It's not cricket!
• It's not over until the fat lady sings.
• it's not rocket science
• it's no use
• It's no use crying over spilt milk.
• it's no wonder
• it's now or never
• It's now or never.
• it's one thing after another
• It's one thing after another!
• It's raining cats and dogs!
• it's swings and roundabouts
• it stands to reason
• It's the same old story.
• it's the same old story
• It's the story of my life.
• it's too bad