eight

be behind the eight ball (American & Australian, informal)

to be in a difficult situation and unable to make progress. The police are very much behind the eight ball - they've had no more leads on these burglaries.

See also: ball, behind

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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