behind the eight ball
In a bind
Behind the eight ball means in a difficult or disadvantaged position.
From pool, where the black eight ball can block a player's shot at their target ball, leaving them with no good options.
After missing two deadlines, she was already behind the eight ball with the client.
Unable to move
- trappedUnable to escape
- corneredUnable to flee
- pinnedFixed firmly, immobilized
- boxed inConfined without options
bind · jam · pickle · fix · tight spot · quandary · dilemma · no-win
Cue sport with reds
- poolCollective fund or basin
- cue ballUnmarked billiard striker
- pocketFabric compartment in clothing
- tableHorizontal furniture surface
rack · break · shot · scratch · bank shot · english · masse · corner pocket
Lacking social or economic resources
- underdogPresumed loser beforehand
- setbackReverse in progress
- handicapImposed competitive disadvantage
- shortfallFailure to reach quota
disfavor · unfavorable · trailing · losing · outmatched · outgunned · catch-up · deficit
Overwhelmed by pressure
- squeezedPressed firmly together
- deadlineTime limit for completion
- crunchCrushing, grinding noise
- urgentNeeding immediate attention
overwhelmed · scrambling · racing · time pressure · last-minute · down to the wire · against the clock · pressed
stuck
Unable to move
boxed in · bind · jam · pickle · fix · tight spot · quandary · dilemma · no-win · precarious
snooker
Cue sport with reds
table · rack · break · shot · scratch · bank shot · english · masse · corner pocket · side pocket
disadvantaged
Lacking social or economic resources
shortfall · disfavor · unfavorable · trailing · losing · outmatched · outgunned · catch-up · deficit · tough spot
stressed
Overwhelmed by pressure
urgent · overwhelmed · scrambling · racing · time pressure · last-minute · down to the wire · against the clock · pressed · rushed
- billiardspool table, cue stick, rack, cue, billiard balls
- idiomstime flies, hit the sack, seize the day, ring a bell, break a leg
- Number Phrasesone and only, two cents, three strikes, four corners, five senses
- Competition idiomslevel playing field, down to the wire, neck and neck, win hands down, in the running
- predicamentspredicament, dilemma, bind, pickle, pinch
- eight thingsoctet, octave, octagon, octopus, byte
behind the eight ballsitting pretty
In favorable circumstances
in the driver's seat · ahead of the game · on top of the world · holding all the cards · in clover
behind the eight ballin control
Managing with authority
calling the shots · in the driver's seat · holding the reins · running the show · at the helm
behind, eight, balled, balling, eighty, eighteen, eighth, eighths, eighties