behind the eight ball, v. phr.
In trouble, in an awkward position. This idiom comes from billiards, or pool. In games such as the game eight ball, which is popular in the United States, the cue ball (the all-white ball) cannot hit the black eight ball first, until the end of the game. So if the eight ball is between the cue ball and the ball a player wants to hit, the player in in trouble.
• Our company's sales have been poor four months in a row. That has put our sales manager behind the eight ball.
• The poor economy has put many older workers behind the eight ball, wondering if they will be able to retire.
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