eight

(a) quarter of (a given hour in time)

A quarter of an hour (15 minutes) before the named hour in time (e.g., "quarter of six" would mean 5:45). Primarily heard in US. A: "What time does the movie start?" B: "Not until a quarter of eight, so we've got plenty of time!" I thought I'd be home already, but with this traffic, it'll be quarter of before I'm back.

800-pound gorilla

A person, group, or organization so powerful (either by size or by influence) that it does not need to heed the rules or threats of others. It refers to the riddle "Where does an 800-pound gorilla sit?" (Answer: "Wherever it likes.") Primarily heard in US. Don't mess with that guy; he's like an 800-pound gorilla! These big corporations act like 800-pound gorillas, making up the rules to suit themselves.

at the tender age of

At the young age of. This phrase is used to emphasize how young one was when one did something in particular. The age is stated after "of." I'm not surprised to hear that he was doing science experiments at the tender age of seven—he's a child genius!

be behind the eight ball

To be in a challenging situation; to be at a disadvantage. An "eight ball" is one of the numbered balls used in the game of pool, and the last one supposed to be hit into a pocket. If the eight ball is accidentally hit into a pocket prematurely, the player will lose, and it therefore needs to be avoided. If we don't leave early tomorrow, we'll be behind the eight ball, and I doubt we'll reach the cabin by dusk. Because I got the flu, I'm behind the eight ball with my Christmas shopping.

See also: ball, behind, eight

be one over (the) eight

To be thoroughly inebriated. Primarily heard in UK. I think someone should drive Jerry home, he's one over the eight. I guess I was making something of a show of myself, but I was having too much fun to realise that I was one over eight.

behind the eight ball

In a challenging situation; at a disadvantage. An "eight ball" is one of the numbered balls used in the game of pool, and the last one supposed to be hit into a pocket. If the eight ball is accidentally hit into a pocket prematurely, the player will lose, and it therefore needs to be avoided. If we don't leave early tomorrow, we'll be behind the eight ball, and I doubt we'll reach the cabin by dusk. Because I got the flu, I'm behind the eight ball with my Christmas shopping.

See also: ball, behind, eight

eight ball

1. One of the numbered balls used in the game of pool, and the last one supposed to be hit into a pocket. And now, for the win: eight ball, corner pocket.

2. A billiard game in which the winner must hit seven balls into the pockets followed by the eight ball. Pocketing the eight ball before any of the others results in an automatic loss. Here's a pool cue—do you know how to play eight ball?

3. slang One-eighth ounce of an illegal drug (often cocaine or an amphetamine). I scored us some eight balls from my dealer.

eight ways from Sunday

Thoroughly or completely; in every possible way; from every conceivable angle. Everyone had their money on the reigning champion, but he was beaten eight ways from Sunday by the newcomer. We researched the case eight ways from Sunday, but there didn't seem to be any way that we could win with the evidence at hand.

eight ways to Sunday

Thoroughly or completely; in every possible way; from every conceivable angle. Everyone had their money on the reigning champion, but he was beaten eight ways to Sunday by the newcomer. We researched the case eight ways to Sunday, but there didn't seem to be any way that we could win with the evidence at hand.

have one over (the) eight

To have enough alcoholic drinks to be thoroughly inebriated. Primarily heard in UK. I was composed and in control of myself for most of the evening, but somewhere around midnight, I had one over the eight and started making a show of myself. It seems like Jenny makes a point of having one over eight every time she goes out on the weekend.

on the stroke of (some specific time)

Exactly at a specific time, especially the very beginning of the hour. The store is opening its doors on the stroke of midnight for the Black Friday sale. If you're not home on the stroke of 11, you're grounded!

one over (the) eight

1. adjective Thoroughly inebriated. Primarily heard in UK. I think someone should drive Jerry home, he's one over the eight. I guess I was making something of a show of myself, but I was having too much fun to realise that I was one over eight.

2. noun The final alcoholic drink that pushes a person from mild or safe intoxication to being very drunk. Primarily heard in UK. I was composed and in control of myself for most of the evening, but somewhere around midnight, I had one over the eight and started making a show of myself. It seems like Jenny makes a point of having one over eight every time she goes out on the weekend.

quarter past (a given hour in time)

A quarter of an hour (15 minutes) after the named hour in time. A: "What time does the movie start?" B: "Not until a quarter past eight, so we've got plenty of time!" I thought I'd be home already, but with this traffic, it'll be quarter past before I'm back.

the eighty-eight

slang The piano. A reference to the eighty-eight keys of a piano. Tom got up and played an amazing tune on the eighty-eight. It was a classy place. The waiters were all in tuxedos and there was a woman in the corner playing on the eighty-eight the whole evening.

two and eight

slang An agitated or upset emotional state. The phrase comes from rhyming slang in which "eight" rhymes with "state." Primarily heard in UK. Don't get into a two and eight over this—we'll come up with a solution.

*behind the eight ball

1. Fig. in trouble; in a weak or losing position. (Alludes to the eight ball in pool, which in certain games cannot be touched without penalty. *Typically: be ~; get ~; have someone ~; put someone ~.) I'm behind the eight ball again and can't see how to relieve my dilemma. John is behind the eight ball because he started writing his term paper far too late.

2. Fig. broke. Sorry, I'm really behind the eight ball this month. I can't make a contribution. (*Typically: be ~; get ~; have someone ~; put someone ~.) I was behind the eight ball again and couldn't make my car payment.

See also: ball, behind, eight

McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.

behind the eight ball

In trouble or an awkward position, out of luck, as in His check bounced, leaving Jim behind the eight ball with his landlord. The term comes from pocket billiards or pool, where in certain games if the number eight ball is between the "cue ball" and "object ball" the player cannot make a straight shot. [Colloquial; c. 1920]

See also: ball, behind, eight

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.

behind the eight ball

AMERICAN

If someone or something is behind the eight ball, they are in trouble or in a difficult situation. If a child doesn't get the basics in primary school, they are way behind the eight ball. Note: In the game of pool, the `eight ball' is a ball with a number 8 on it, which players have to pot (= put in the net) last. If the eight ball is between the cue ball (= white ball that you hit) and the ball which the player is trying to hit, the player is likely to hit the eight ball first, which is a foul shot.

See also: ball, behind, eight

Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

behind the eight ball

at a disadvantage; baffled. North American

The black ball is numbered eight in a variety of the game of pool known as eight-ball pool .

See also: ball, behind, eight

one over the eight

slightly drunk. British informal

The idea behind this idiom is that a drinker can reasonably be expected to consume eight glasses of beer without becoming drunk. The expression was originally armed forces' slang from the early 20th century.

be/have one over the ˈeight

(informal) be slightly drunk: From the way he was walking it was obvious he’d had one over the eight.This may come from a belief that a normal person could only drink eight glasses of beer without becoming drunk.

behind the ˈeight ball

(American English) in a difficult situation, with many risks and disadvantages: Basically, I made mistakes and put us right behind the eight ball.

In the game of pool, if you hit the eight ball (= the black ball) into one of the holes at the wrong time, you lose the game. If your ball is behind the eight ball, the risks of doing this are greater.

See also: ball, behind, eight

on/at the ˌstroke of ˈeight, ˈmidnight, etc.

at exactly eight o’clock, midnight, etc: She gets to work at the stroke of nine every day.

behind the eight ball

1. mod. in trouble; in a weak or losing position. I’m behind the eight ball again.

2. mod. broke. I was behind the eight ball again and couldn’t make my car payment.

See also: ball, behind, eight

the eighty-eight

n. a piano. (Pianos have eighty-eight keys.) Sam can really beat the eighty-eight.

McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions

behind the eight ball

Slang

In an unfavorable or uncomfortable position.

See also: ball, behind, eight

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.

behind the eight ball

In a bad situation, bad luck. The term, originating in the United States in the first half of the 1900s, comes from a form of pool in which all the balls (which are numbered) must be pocketed in a certain order. The only exception is the No. 8 ball, which is black. If another player touches the eight ball he or she is penalized. Therefore, if the eight ball is in front of the ball one is trying to pocket, one is in a difficult position.

See also: ball, behind, eight

The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer

behind the eight ball

In a precarious situation. In certain games of pool or billiards, a player whose cue ball (the ball that strikes the other balls) is behind the 8 ball is unlikely to make any shot. Therefore, to be behind the eight ball is to be in a losing situation.

See also: ball, behind, eight

Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price

See also:

11
12
(a) quarter of (a given hour in time)
eleven
quarter
twelve
quarter past (a given hour in time)
(it's) (a)bout time
about time
bout

References in periodicals archive

Moreover, sources noted that the eight Egyptians are facing judicial verdicts in Egypt over charges of terrorism.

Kuwait extradites 8 terrorism-charged Muslim Brotherhood members to Egypt

Earlier this week, at least eight people were killed and 44 others sustained wounds as a speeding passenger coach turned turtle over in Badin on early Friday morning.

Four killed, eight injured in Mirpurkhas road crash

He said the eight detainees also have various diseases including cancer, HIV, diabetes, hypertension and asthma.

Now Sosma detainees launch hunger strike in Penang

RAWALPINDI:Police operation against anti-social elements have arrested 20 including three kite flyers and eight allegedly involved in immoral activities besides recovering 3620 grams charras, 70 liters liquor, a 30 bore pistol with 14 rounds, a 32 bore revolver, Rs 155,000 cash, 18 kites, nine kite flying string rolls and others items from their possession.

Stephen Horsfield and Anthony Phoenix were both unbeaten with eight wins, Isobel Ashley won four from six and Lindsey Taylor three from six.

Four defeats means drop to ninth spot

industries whose production is oriented towards the domestic market rose 10.8% from 1,112.7 MTD to 1,232.8 MTD during the first eight months of 2016.

Tunisia: investments in totally exporting industries rise 12%

Four times the card count was higher than eight, three times it was exactly eight and eight times it was lower than eight.

Bernabeu battle may be tamer than is expected

Eight meditations on compassion should justly have eight different directors, and Phelps has wrangled eight of Austin's finest--Shawn Sides, Jenny Larson, Ken Webster, Amparo Garcia-Crow, Christi Moore, Lowell Batholomee, Vicky Boone and Margery Segal--to helm and these multimedia solo pieces.

Eat your heart out

Latest figures show 26.4% of patients had been waiting for longer than eight weeks at the end of September, but this is down from 28.4% at the end of August, with 3,453 people waiting for services such as radiology, imaging and diagnostic endoscopy.

1 in 4 wait more than 8 weeks for diagnostic tests

The Player's Championship, May 3-5, invited the top eight players to compete in the season finale.

Irish dominate WPH Race 4 Eight Season II

And the world No.2 also became the first player in history to win a tournament eight times in a row.

RAFA FEELS GR-EIGHT

The Seal/O-570 Module provides eight single-ended 16-bit analog inputs, eight optically isolated digital inputs, and eight Form C relay outputs.

Module combines digital, analog, and serial expansion

Dad-of-three Kulwinder, of Robroyston, Glasgow, who has a handicap of eight, celebrated his achievement in traditional style by buying every member a drink at the club bar.

MY ACE IN HOLES TWO; GOLFER'S DOUBLE HOLE IN ONE IN SINGLE ROUND: EXCLUSIVE

WHEN MEETING A PERSON for the first time, you have eight seconds to make a first impression from which they will base character judgments.

8 seconds to make a good impression on a prospective resident

Eight O"Clock Coffee has launched the "Discover the Difference" contest online at www.discoverthedifference.com.

Eight O"Clock Coffee Invites Consumers to 'Discover the Difference"

词组	eight
释义	eight (a) quarter of (a given hour in time) A quarter of an hour (15 minutes) before the named hour in time (e.g., "quarter of six" would mean 5:45). Primarily heard in US. A: "What time does the movie start?" B: "Not until a quarter of eight, so we've got plenty of time!" I thought I'd be home already, but with this traffic, it'll be quarter of before I'm back. See also: given, hour, of, quarter 800-pound gorilla A person, group, or organization so powerful (either by size or by influence) that it does not need to heed the rules or threats of others. It refers to the riddle "Where does an 800-pound gorilla sit?" (Answer: "Wherever it likes.") Primarily heard in US. Don't mess with that guy; he's like an 800-pound gorilla! These big corporations act like 800-pound gorillas, making up the rules to suit themselves. See also: gorilla at the tender age of At the young age of. This phrase is used to emphasize how young one was when one did something in particular. The age is stated after "of." I'm not surprised to hear that he was doing science experiments at the tender age of seven—he's a child genius! See also: age, of, tender be behind the eight ball To be in a challenging situation; to be at a disadvantage. An "eight ball" is one of the numbered balls used in the game of pool, and the last one supposed to be hit into a pocket. If the eight ball is accidentally hit into a pocket prematurely, the player will lose, and it therefore needs to be avoided. If we don't leave early tomorrow, we'll be behind the eight ball, and I doubt we'll reach the cabin by dusk. Because I got the flu, I'm behind the eight ball with my Christmas shopping. See also: ball, behind, eight be one over (the) eight To be thoroughly inebriated. Primarily heard in UK. I think someone should drive Jerry home, he's one over the eight. I guess I was making something of a show of myself, but I was having too much fun to realise that I was one over eight. See also: eight, one, over behind the eight ball In a challenging situation; at a disadvantage. An "eight ball" is one of the numbered balls used in the game of pool, and the last one supposed to be hit into a pocket. If the eight ball is accidentally hit into a pocket prematurely, the player will lose, and it therefore needs to be avoided. If we don't leave early tomorrow, we'll be behind the eight ball, and I doubt we'll reach the cabin by dusk. Because I got the flu, I'm behind the eight ball with my Christmas shopping. See also: ball, behind, eight eight ball 1. One of the numbered balls used in the game of pool, and the last one supposed to be hit into a pocket. And now, for the win: eight ball, corner pocket. 2. A billiard game in which the winner must hit seven balls into the pockets followed by the eight ball. Pocketing the eight ball before any of the others results in an automatic loss. Here's a pool cue—do you know how to play eight ball? 3. slang One-eighth ounce of an illegal drug (often cocaine or an amphetamine). I scored us some eight balls from my dealer. See also: ball, eight eight ways from Sunday Thoroughly or completely; in every possible way; from every conceivable angle. Everyone had their money on the reigning champion, but he was beaten eight ways from Sunday by the newcomer. We researched the case eight ways from Sunday, but there didn't seem to be any way that we could win with the evidence at hand. See also: eight, Sunday, way eight ways to Sunday Thoroughly or completely; in every possible way; from every conceivable angle. Everyone had their money on the reigning champion, but he was beaten eight ways to Sunday by the newcomer. We researched the case eight ways to Sunday, but there didn't seem to be any way that we could win with the evidence at hand. See also: eight, Sunday, way have one over (the) eight To have enough alcoholic drinks to be thoroughly inebriated. Primarily heard in UK. I was composed and in control of myself for most of the evening, but somewhere around midnight, I had one over the eight and started making a show of myself. It seems like Jenny makes a point of having one over eight every time she goes out on the weekend. See also: eight, have, one, over on the stroke of (some specific time) Exactly at a specific time, especially the very beginning of the hour. The store is opening its doors on the stroke of midnight for the Black Friday sale. If you're not home on the stroke of 11, you're grounded! See also: of, on, specific, stroke one over (the) eight 1. adjective Thoroughly inebriated. Primarily heard in UK. I think someone should drive Jerry home, he's one over the eight. I guess I was making something of a show of myself, but I was having too much fun to realise that I was one over eight. 2. noun The final alcoholic drink that pushes a person from mild or safe intoxication to being very drunk. Primarily heard in UK. I was composed and in control of myself for most of the evening, but somewhere around midnight, I had one over the eight and started making a show of myself. It seems like Jenny makes a point of having one over eight every time she goes out on the weekend. See also: eight, one, over quarter past (a given hour in time) A quarter of an hour (15 minutes) after the named hour in time. A: "What time does the movie start?" B: "Not until a quarter past eight, so we've got plenty of time!" I thought I'd be home already, but with this traffic, it'll be quarter past before I'm back. See also: given, hour, past, quarter the eighty-eight slang The piano. A reference to the eighty-eight keys of a piano. Tom got up and played an amazing tune on the eighty-eight. It was a classy place. The waiters were all in tuxedos and there was a woman in the corner playing on the eighty-eight the whole evening. two and eight slang An agitated or upset emotional state. The phrase comes from rhyming slang in which "eight" rhymes with "state." Primarily heard in UK. Don't get into a two and eight over this—we'll come up with a solution. See also: and, eight, two Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. behind the eight ball 1. Fig.* in trouble; in a weak or losing position. (Alludes to the eight ball in pool, which in certain games cannot be touched without penalty. Typically: be ~; get ~; have* someone ~; put someone ~.) I'm behind the eight ball again and can't see how to relieve my dilemma. John is behind the eight ball because he started writing his term paper far too late. 2. Fig. broke. Sorry, I'm really behind the eight ball this month. I can't make a contribution. (Typically: be ~; get ~; have* someone ~; put someone ~.) I was behind the eight ball again and couldn't make my car payment. See also: ball, behind, eight McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. behind the eight ball In trouble or an awkward position, out of luck, as in His check bounced, leaving Jim behind the eight ball with his landlord. The term comes from pocket billiards or pool, where in certain games if the number eight ball is between the "cue ball" and "object ball" the player cannot make a straight shot. [Colloquial; c. 1920] See also: ball, behind, eight The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. behind the eight ball AMERICAN If someone or something is behind the eight ball, they are in trouble or in a difficult situation. If a child doesn't get the basics in primary school, they are way behind the eight ball. Note: In the game of pool, the `eight ball' is a ball with a number 8 on it, which players have to pot (= put in the net) last. If the eight ball is between the cue ball (= white ball that you hit) and the ball which the player is trying to hit, the player is likely to hit the eight ball first, which is a foul shot. See also: ball, behind, eight Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed. behind the eight ball at a disadvantage; baffled. North American The black ball is numbered eight in a variety of the game of pool known as eight-ball pool . See also: ball, behind, eight one over the eight slightly drunk. British informal The idea behind this idiom is that a drinker can reasonably be expected to consume eight glasses of beer without becoming drunk. The expression was originally armed forces' slang from the early 20th century. See also: eight, one, over Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary be/have one over the ˈeight (informal) be slightly drunk: From the way he was walking it was obvious he’d had one over the eight.This may come from a belief that a normal person could only drink eight glasses of beer without becoming drunk. See also: eight, have, one, over behind the ˈeight ball (American English) in a difficult situation, with many risks and disadvantages: Basically, I made mistakes and put us right behind the eight ball. In the game of pool, if you hit the eight ball (= the black ball) into one of the holes at the wrong time, you lose the game. If your ball is behind the eight ball, the risks of doing this are greater. See also: ball, behind, eight on/at the ˌstroke of ˈeight, ˈmidnight, etc. at exactly eight o’clock, midnight, etc: She gets to work at the stroke of nine every day. See also: of, on, stroke Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary behind the eight ball 1. mod. in trouble; in a weak or losing position. I’m behind the eight ball again. 2. mod. broke. I was behind the eight ball again and couldn’t make my car payment. See also: ball, behind, eight the eighty-eight n. a piano. (Pianos have eighty-eight keys.) Sam can really beat the eighty-eight. McGraw-Hill's Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions behind the eight ball Slang In an unfavorable or uncomfortable position. See also: ball, behind, eight American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. behind the eight ball In a bad situation, bad luck. The term, originating in the United States in the first half of the 1900s, comes from a form of pool in which all the balls (which are numbered) must be pocketed in a certain order. The only exception is the No. 8 ball, which is black. If another player touches the eight ball he or she is penalized. Therefore, if the eight ball is in front of the ball one is trying to pocket, one is in a difficult position. See also: ball, behind, eight The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer behind the eight ball In a precarious situation. In certain games of pool or billiards, a player whose cue ball (the ball that strikes the other balls) is behind the 8 ball is unlikely to make any shot. Therefore, to be behind the eight ball is to be in a losing situation. See also: ball, behind, eight Endangered Phrases by Steven D. Price See also: 11 12 (a) quarter of (a given hour in time) eleven quarter twelve quarter past (a given hour in time) (it's) (a)bout time about time bout References in periodicals archive Moreover, sources noted that the eight Egyptians are facing judicial verdicts in Egypt over charges of terrorism. Kuwait extradites 8 terrorism-charged Muslim Brotherhood members to Egypt Earlier this week, at least eight people were killed and 44 others sustained wounds as a speeding passenger coach turned turtle over in Badin on early Friday morning. Four killed, eight injured in Mirpurkhas road crash He said the eight detainees also have various diseases including cancer, HIV, diabetes, hypertension and asthma. Now Sosma detainees launch hunger strike in Penang RAWALPINDI:Police operation against anti-social elements have arrested 20 including three kite flyers and eight allegedly involved in immoral activities besides recovering 3620 grams charras, 70 liters liquor, a 30 bore pistol with 14 rounds, a 32 bore revolver, Rs 155,000 cash, 18 kites, nine kite flying string rolls and others items from their possession. d Stephen Horsfield and Anthony Phoenix were both unbeaten with eight wins, Isobel Ashley won four from six and Lindsey Taylor three from six. Four defeats means drop to ninth spot industries whose production is oriented towards the domestic market rose 10.8% from 1,112.7 MTD to 1,232.8 MTD during the first eight months of 2016. Tunisia: investments in totally exporting industries rise 12% Four times the card count was higher than eight, three times it was exactly eight and eight times it was lower than eight. Bernabeu battle may be tamer than is expected Eight meditations on compassion should justly have eight different directors, and Phelps has wrangled eight of Austin's finest--Shawn Sides, Jenny Larson, Ken Webster, Amparo Garcia-Crow, Christi Moore, Lowell Batholomee, Vicky Boone and Margery Segal--to helm and these multimedia solo pieces. Eat your heart out Latest figures show 26.4% of patients had been waiting for longer than eight weeks at the end of September, but this is down from 28.4% at the end of August, with 3,453 people waiting for services such as radiology, imaging and diagnostic endoscopy. 1 in 4 wait more than 8 weeks for diagnostic tests The Player's Championship, May 3-5, invited the top eight players to compete in the season finale. Irish dominate WPH Race 4 Eight Season II And the world No.2 also became the first player in history to win a tournament eight times in a row. RAFA FEELS GR-EIGHT The Seal/O-570 Module provides eight single-ended 16-bit analog inputs, eight optically isolated digital inputs, and eight Form C relay outputs. Module combines digital, analog, and serial expansion Dad-of-three Kulwinder, of Robroyston, Glasgow, who has a handicap of eight, celebrated his achievement in traditional style by buying every member a drink at the club bar. MY ACE IN HOLES TWO; GOLFER'S DOUBLE HOLE IN ONE IN SINGLE ROUND: EXCLUSIVE WHEN MEETING A PERSON for the first time, you have eight seconds to make a first impression from which they will base character judgments. 8 seconds to make a good impression on a prospective resident Eight O"Clock Coffee has launched the "Discover the Difference" contest online at www.discoverthedifference.com. Eight O"Clock Coffee Invites Consumers to 'Discover the Difference"
随便看	fifth columnist fifth wheel fifty fifty-fifty fifty-fifty chance fig fight fight about fight about (someone or something) fight against fight against (someone or something) fight against time fight a losing battle fight amongst fight among yourselves/ourselves/themselves fight a rearguard action fight back fight back at (someone or something) fight down fight fires fight fire with fire fight for fight for life fight for (one's) life fight for (someone or something)