BEHIND THE EIGHT-BALL

{adj. phr.}, {slang} In a difficult position; in trouble. * /Mr. Thompson is an older man, and when he lost his job, he found he was behind the eight-ball./ * /Bill can't dance and has no car, so he is behind the eight-ball with the girls./ Compare: HAVE TWO STRIKES AGAINST ONE(2), IN A HOLE.