behind the eight ball

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
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
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary

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
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
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:
  • cooking for one
  • drive (one) out of office
  • force (one) out of office
  • force out of office
  • as one door closes, another (one) opens
  • as one door closes, another one opens
  • as one door closes, another opens
  • give head
  • give somebody their head
  • give someone their head
References in periodicals archive
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Companies with huge debt loads start behind the eight ball."
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It's so unfortunate that we've had to struggle so hard and get so far behind the eight ball to help them."
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"I just thought we were behind the eight ball all the time, and whether we were given a fair crack of the whip, I'm not so sure.
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Blues put themselves behind the eight ball straight away when Steven Caldwell bumped Mateji Vydra out of the way to a dropping ball after Jack Butland parried a cross-shot upwards.
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"Sometimes you can want things too much and you do put yourself under more pressure than is necessary." Durham started today already behind the eight ball, Somerset looking to build on a 95-run lead if the weather allowed.
I hope I can hold my place - Mark
"We were behind the eight ball today from the start but we'll go away and lick our wounds and come back stronger for it."
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We're behind the eight ball but this game turns around so quickly.
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"We have only done it in one game so far and at this point we are behind the eight ball. We know what we need to do to win what is an important game for both sides."
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They were even further behind the eight ball when Lancashire reached 65-1 in their chase but when they slumped to 97-5, the game was all but up.
Cricket: Glamorgan slip to yet another loss
And they really found themselves behind the eight ball when two dubious decisions saw Hearts" subs into a two goal lead just before half time.
Football: BLACK DAY FOR UNITED; DUNDEE UN ITED...........0 HEARTS........................3