eight

800-pound gorilla

A person, group, or organization so powerful (either by size or by influence) that it does not need to heed the rules or threats of others. It refers to the riddle "Where does an 800-pound gorilla sit?" (Answer: "Wherever it likes.") Primarily heard in US. Don't mess with that guy; he's like an 800-pound gorilla! These big corporations act like 800-pound gorillas, making up the rules to suit themselves.See also: gorilla

have one over (the) eight

To have enough alcoholic drinks to be thoroughly inebriated. Primarily heard in UK. I was composed and in control of myself for most of the evening, but somewhere around midnight, I had one over the eight and started making a show of myself. It seems like Jenny makes a point of having one over eight every time she goes out on the weekend.See also: eight, have, one, over

be one over (the) eight

To be thoroughly inebriated. Primarily heard in UK. I think someone should drive Jerry home, he's one over the eight. I guess I was making something of a show of myself, but I was having too much fun to realise that I was one over eight.See also: eight, one, over

one over (the) eight

1. adjective Thoroughly inebriated. Primarily heard in UK. I think someone should drive Jerry home, he's one over the eight. I guess I was making something of a show of myself, but I was having too much fun to realise that I was one over eight.2. noun The final alcoholic drink that pushes a person from mild or safe intoxication to being very drunk. Primarily heard in UK. I was composed and in control of myself for most of the evening, but somewhere around midnight, I had one over the eight and started making a show of myself. It seems like Jenny makes a point of having one over eight every time she goes out on the weekend.See also: eight, one, over

(a) quarter of (a given hour in time)

A quarter of an hour (15 minutes) before the named hour in time (e.g., "quarter of six" would mean 5:45). Primarily heard in US. A: "What time does the movie start?" B: "Not until a quarter of eight, so we've got plenty of time!" I thought I'd be home already, but with this traffic, it'll be quarter of before I'm back.See also: given, hour, of, quarter

quarter past (a given hour in time)

A quarter of an hour (15 minutes) after the named hour in time. A: "What time does the movie start?" B: "Not until a quarter past eight, so we've got plenty of time!" I thought I'd be home already, but with this traffic, it'll be quarter past before I'm back.See also: given, hour, past, quarter

eight ways from Sunday

Thoroughly or completely; in every possible way; from every conceivable angle. Everyone had their money on the reigning champion, but he was beaten eight ways from Sunday by the newcomer. We researched the case eight ways from Sunday, but there didn't seem to be any way that we could win with the evidence at hand.See also: eight, Sunday, way

eight ways to Sunday

Thoroughly or completely; in every possible way; from every conceivable angle. Everyone had their money on the reigning champion, but he was beaten eight ways to Sunday by the newcomer. We researched the case eight ways to Sunday, but there didn't seem to be any way that we could win with the evidence at hand.See also: eight, Sunday, way

be behind the eight ball

To be in a challenging situation; to be at a disadvantage. An "eight ball" is one of the numbered balls used in the game of pool, and the last one supposed to be hit into a pocket. If the eight ball is accidentally hit into a pocket prematurely, the player will lose, and it therefore needs to be avoided. If we don't leave early tomorrow, we'll be behind the eight ball, and I doubt we'll reach the cabin by dusk. Because I got the flu, I'm behind the eight ball with my Christmas shopping.See also: ball, behind, eight

behind the eight ball

In a challenging situation; at a disadvantage. An "eight ball" is one of the numbered balls used in the game of pool, and the last one supposed to be hit into a pocket. If the eight ball is accidentally hit into a pocket prematurely, the player will lose, and it therefore needs to be avoided. If we don't leave early tomorrow, we'll be behind the eight ball, and I doubt we'll reach the cabin by dusk. Because I got the flu, I'm behind the eight ball with my Christmas shopping.See also: ball, behind, eight

eight ball

1. One of the numbered balls used in the game of pool, and the last one supposed to be hit into a pocket. And now, for the win: eight ball, corner pocket.2. A billiard game in which the winner must hit seven balls into the pockets followed by the eight ball. Pocketing the eight ball before any of the others results in an automatic loss. Here's a pool cue—do you know how to play eight ball?3. slang One-eighth ounce of an illegal drug (often cocaine or an amphetamine). I scored us some eight balls from my dealer.See also: ball, eight

at the tender age of

At the young age of. This phrase is used to emphasize how young one was when one did something in particular. The age is stated after "of." I'm not surprised to hear that he was doing science experiments at the tender age of seven—he's a child genius!See also: age, of, tender

on the stroke of (some specific time)

Exactly at a specific time, especially the very beginning of the hour. The store is opening its doors on the stroke of midnight for the Black Friday sale. If you're not home on the stroke of 11, you're grounded!See also: of, on, specific, stroke

the eighty-eight

slang The piano. A reference to the eighty-eight keys of a piano. Tom got up and played an amazing tune on the eighty-eight. It was a classy place. The waiters were all in tuxedos and there was a woman in the corner playing on the eighty-eight the whole evening.

*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 trouble or an awkward position, out of luck, as in His check bounced, leaving Jim behind the eight ball with his landlord. The term comes from pocket billiards or pool, where in certain games if the number eight ball is between the "cue ball" and "object ball" the player cannot make a straight shot. [Colloquial; c. 1920] See also: ball, behind, eight

behind the eight ball

AMERICANIf someone or something is behind the eight ball, they are in trouble or in a difficult situation. If a child doesn't get the basics in primary school, they are way behind the eight ball. Note: In the game of pool, the `eight ball' is a ball with a number 8 on it, which players have to pot (= put in the net) last. If the eight ball is between the cue ball (= white ball that you hit) and the ball which the player is trying to hit, the player is likely to hit the eight ball first, which is a foul shot. See also: ball, behind, eight

behind the eight ball

at a disadvantage; baffled. North American The black ball is numbered eight in a variety of the game of pool known as eight-ball pool .See also: ball, behind, eight

one over the eight

slightly drunk. British informal The idea behind this idiom is that a drinker can reasonably be expected to consume eight glasses of beer without becoming drunk. The expression was originally armed forces' slang from the early 20th century.See also: eight, one, over

be/have one over the ˈeight

(informal) be slightly drunk: From the way he was walking it was obvious he’d had one over the eight.This may come from a belief that a normal person could only drink eight glasses of beer without becoming drunk.See also: eight, have, one, over

behind the ˈeight ball

(American English) in a difficult situation, with many risks and disadvantages: Basically, I made mistakes and put us right behind the eight ball.In the game of pool, if you hit the eight ball (= the black ball) into one of the holes at the wrong time, you lose the game. If your ball is behind the eight ball, the risks of doing this are greater.See also: ball, behind, eight

on/at the ˌstroke of ˈeight, ˈmidnight, etc.

at exactly eight o’clock, midnight, etc: She gets to work at the stroke of nine every day.See also: of, on, stroke

behind the eight ball

1. mod. in trouble; in a weak or losing position. I’m behind the eight ball again. 2. mod. broke. I was behind the eight ball again and couldn’t make my car payment. See also: ball, behind, eight

the eighty-eight

n. a piano. (Pianos have eighty-eight keys.) Sam can really beat the eighty-eight.

behind the eight ball

Slang In an unfavorable or uncomfortable position.See also: ball, behind, eight

behind the eight ball

In a bad situation, bad luck. The term, originating in the United States in the first half of the 1900s, comes from a form of pool in which all the balls (which are numbered) must be pocketed in a certain order. The only exception is the No. 8 ball, which is black. If another player touches the eight ball he or she is penalized. Therefore, if the eight ball is in front of the ball one is trying to pocket, one is in a difficult position.See also: ball, behind, eight

behind the eight ball

In a precarious situation. In certain games of pool or billiards, a player whose cue ball (the ball that strikes the other balls) is behind the 8 ball is unlikely to make any shot. Therefore, to be behind the eight ball is to be in a losing situation.See also: ball, behind, eight

eight

1. the cardinal number that is the sum of one and seven and the product of two and four 2. a numeral, 8, VIII, etc., representing this number 3. Music the numeral 8 used as the lower figure in a time signature to indicate that the beat is measured in quavers 4. the amount or quantity that is one greater than seven 5. Rowinga. a racing shell propelled by eight oarsmen b. the crew of such a shell 6. See figure of eight

Eight

To the early Christians the number eight represented several important religious concepts, including resurrection, redemption, and eternity. These associations also led to its linkage with the practice of baptism. The number eight acquired these meanings because Jesus rose from death on the day after the Jewish Sabbath, that is, on the eighth day of the week (for more on the Sabbath, see Sunday). Thus, the number eight functioned as a symbol of the Easter story and message in early Christian times.

Jewish Tradition and the Seven-Day Week

In the Jewish tradition in which Jesus was raised, people celebrated the Sabbath on Saturday. The Sabbath, a day of rest and worship, fell on the last day of a seven-day cycle which we today call a week. According to the Hebrew scriptures, God himself started this sevenday cycle at the beginning of time, creating the world in six days and resting on the seventh (Genesis 2:1-3).

Easter as the Christian Eighth Day

All four Gospel accounts of Jesus' resurrection from the dead agree that it occurred on the day after the Jewish Sabbath, that is, on the first day of the Jewish week. This remarkable event so astounded the first Christians, however, that it shattered their view of the endlessly repeating cycle of the seven-day week. They began to view the day of the Resurrection as the eighth day of the week, because on that day God had added something utterly new to his Creation by raising Jesus from the dead. This symbolic eighth day of the week in fact coincided with the first day of the Jewish week. The early Christians found this overlap between the Jewish first day and the Christian eighth day extremely meaningful. In their eyes the first day of the Jewish week represented the beginning of the world and the creation of light, as told in the first chapter of the book of Genesis. The eighth day of the Christian week represented the beginning of a new kind of light and a new kind of creation, namely, the new relationship between God and humanity made possible through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The association between the Resurrection and the eighth day convinced the early Christians to schedule their weekly worship services on Sunday rather than Saturday.

Baptism and the Number Eight

Because of its association with the resurrection of Christ, the number eight came to represent the spiritual themes associated with Easter, especially resurrection. It also symbolized redemption, salvation, and eternity. These themes also played an important role in the Christian sacrament of baptism, which the early Christians practiced primarily at Easter time. Early Christian architects constructed many octagonal, or eight-sided, baptisteries. The shape of these sunken tubs or small pools used for baptisms presented worshipers with a physical symbol connecting the ritual of baptism with the resurrection of Christ. Circular and hexagonal baptisteries also found favor among the early Christians.

Early Christians in northern Italy exercised an especially strong preference for octagonal baptisteries. On the baptistery of St. John for the Church of St. Thecla, in Milan, Italy, an inscription attributed to St. Ambrose (339-397) alludes to the sacred symbolism attached to the number eight:

Eight-niched soars this church destined for sacred rites, eight corners has its font, which befits its gift. Meet it was thus to build this fair baptismal hall about this sacred eight: here is our race reborn (Ferguson, 164).

Newly baptized members of the Christian faith observed special customs for eight days following their baptism. They attended church daily for special religious instruction and wore white robes to signify their joy and their new status as Christians. At the end of this eightday period they began their life as ordinary members of the congregation. By the fourth century, the eighth day after Easter was recognized as a feast day in its own right. Known today as Low Sunday, it marked the close of Easter Week and the end of eight days of Easter celebrations. This eight-day celebration sparked the invention of other eight-day periods of religious rejoicing following major Christian festivals. These eight-day periods are known as "octaves."

The Number Eight as a Christian Symbol

Although the Resurrection may have been the scriptural event that most influenced how Christians viewed the number eight, other Bible stories also colored their thinking. For example, Noah's ark saved eight people from drowning in the great flood (Genesis 7). This story furthered the connection between the number eight and the concept of salvation. It also linked the number eight with the image of water, an affinity which may also have influenced the preference for eight-sided baptisteries. Other events from Christian scripture further tie the number eight to Jesus' life and teachings. The Bible tells us that Jesus was circumcised and named on the eighth day after his birth, according to Jewish custom (Luke 2:21). Later in life, his famous sermon on the mount described eight beatitudes, or states of blessedness (Matthew 5:3-10).

Further Reading

Cabrol, Fernand. "Octave." In Charles G. Herbermann et al., eds. The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Appleton, 1913. Available online at: Ferguson, Everett. "Baptistery." In his Encyclopedia of Early Christianity. Volume 1. New York: Garland, 1997. Hatchett, Marion J. Commentary on the American Prayer Book. New York: HarperSanFrancisco, 1995. Metford, J. C. J. The Christian Year. London, England: Thames and Hudson, 1991. ---. Dictionary of Christian Lore and Legend. London, England: Thames and Hudson, 1983.

eight

The Cuban-8.An aerobatic maneuver in the shape of an “8.” It may be a horizontal or a vertical eight. Other versions of the maneuver are the Cuban eight and the lazy eight.

eight

eight

eight

eight

Eight

eight

eight

eight

eight

800-pound gorilla

have one over (the) eight

be one over (the) eight

one over (the) eight

(a) quarter of (a given hour in time)

quarter past (a given hour in time)

eight ways from Sunday

eight ways to Sunday

be behind the eight ball

behind the eight ball

eight ball

at the tender age of

on the stroke of (some specific time)

the eighty-eight

*behind the eight ball

behind the eight ball

behind the eight ball

behind the eight ball

one over the eight

be/have one over the ˈeight

behind the ˈeight ball

on/at the ˌstroke of ˈeight, ˈmidnight, etc.

behind the eight ball

the eighty-eight

behind the eight ball

behind the eight ball

behind the eight ball

eight

eight

Eight

eight

EIGHT

eight

Synonyms for eight

noun the cardinal number that is the sum of seven and one

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noun a group of United States painters founded in 1907 and noted for their realistic depictions of sordid aspects of city life

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noun one of four playing cards in a deck with eight pips on the face

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adj being one more than seven

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