| 释义 |
behind the eight ball
eight balln. Games 1. A black pool ball that bears the number eight.2. A game in billiards played with a cue ball and 15 object balls in which the winner must pocket the eight ball after pocketing the seven balls numbered either higher than or lower than the eight ball, with the requirement that the cue ball must first strike one of the seven balls allotted to a player for a shot to be legitimate. A player who pockets the eight ball before the other seven automatically loses.Idiom: behind the eight ball Slang In an unfavorable or uncomfortable position.behind the eight ballIn an unfavorable or uncomfortable position; from the ball in the game of pool that is numbered eight.behind the eight ball
behind the eight ballIn 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*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, eightbehind the eight ballIn 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, eightbehind 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, eightbehind 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, eightbehind 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, eightbehind the eight ball1. 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 behind the eight ball Slang In an unfavorable or uncomfortable position.See also: ball, behind, eightbehind the eight ballIn 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, eightbehind the eight ballIn 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, eightEncyclopediaSeeeight ball |