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behind the eight ball

   Also found in: Dictionary/thesaurus, Wikipedia 0.01 sec.
*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
behind the eight ball
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
See also: ball, behind, eight
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It's not been a good day, absolutely, and we're behind the eight ball but this game turns around so quickly.
THERE ARE NO EXCUSES FOR OUR ALARMING COLLAPSE, SAYS PRIOR; CRICKET by Liverpool Echo (Liverpool, England)
There are times when taking one out is a bad idea; normally this is when you are already behind the eight ball.
Why Get a Fast Cash Payday Loan by Jackie De Burca / Finance and Investment community
That put us behind the eight ball, particularly against a big team like that.
Smith hails the fans and his Dragons-slaying heroes by Daily Post (Liverpool, England)
 
 
 
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