Meanings
Thought to derive from the game of Kelly pool, in which players assigned balls numerically higher than 8 — that is, balls that are behind the 8 ball in order — have little possibility of winning, or from eight-ball pool, where one cannot contact the eight ball on a shot before it is the legal ball, frustrating shots, or more generally, from the fact that the 8 ball is considered harder to aim at because of its color.
How to pronounce "behind the eight-ball":
AU
In a difficult situation or tight spot; at a disadvantage.
Example Sentences
1
After missing a week of work due to illness, he found himself behind the eight-ball with his workload.
2
I forgot to set my alarm clock, so I woke up late and started the day already behind the eight-ball.
3
Her car broke down on the way to the interview, putting her behind the eight-ball in terms of arriving on time.
4
With only a day left before the deadline, he realized he was behind the eight-ball and would have to work through the night.
5
The team's star player got injured right before the championship game, leaving them behind the eight-ball.
