Log in
Home  »  1100 Words You Need to Know FlashcardsEnglish Vocabulary in Context   »   Behind the Eight Ball 1100 Words You Need Week 19

Behind the Eight Ball 1100 Words You Need Week 19

Behind the Eight Ball

Behind the Eight Ball

at a disadvantage, in a highly disadvantageous position, in trouble, in difficulty, having problems, in distress, in the soup

The phrase “behind the eight ball” seems to have originated from the game of billiard. The phrase is stated to have been used by The New York Times as early as in 1931 with reference to the tight spot or the situation in which victory is impossible. However, another newspaper, The Sheboygan Press, has used it even before The New York Times in 1929. It goes thus; “Bill figures he can finish behind the eight ball with any kind of a ball team, so there’s no harm in trying out young talent as there’s nothing to lose beyond the last place.” Since then, it has been used in the same meanings of a tight spot from where it is difficult for a person to extract himself.

Source: https://literarydevices.net/

Antonym: at ease

Farsi: دچار درد سر، درگیر مشکلات


About Dr. Mohammad Hossein Hariri Asl

Dr. Mohammad Hossein Hariri Asl is an English and Persian instructor, researcher, inventor, author, blogger, SEO expert, website developer, and the creator of LELB Society. He's got a PhD in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language). Study our guest posting guidelines for authors.

View All 3976 Posts by this Author »

We respond to all comments immediately. View the 30 newest comments and new topics in forums, or create a new topic in forums. You can also contact us to leave voice messages.

Leave a Comment