put (someone/something) in a hole

to cause a difficult situation for someone or something.

Whitson gave up home runs to Palmeiro and Bonilla that put Cleveland in a hole.

I campaigned against two opponents from this state, and I think it put me in a hole.

Related vocabulary: in a tight spot, in a bind

• Garbage in, garbage out.
• garden-variety
• gas guzzler
• gas up
• gas up something
• gather dust
• gather wits
• gather your wits
• on the run
• on the same lines
• on the same page
• on the same wavelength
• on the scene
• on the scrap heap
• on the shelf
• on the side
• on the sidelines
• on the side of the angels
• on the sly
• on-the-spot
• on the spot
• on the spur of the moment
• on the starting blocks
• on the strength of
• on the strength of something