Behind the eight ball

Meaning:

This is a good one to use if we are in a difficult position or a difficult situation. This idiom comes from the game of pool or billiards. If you've ever played pool before, you know that being behind the eight ball is not a good position to be in.

Example sentences:

1. I'm behind the eight ball.
2. We're behind the eight ball here.
3. We need to get out from behind the eight ball.

Example dialogue:

Two friends are talking about one friend's wife.

A: I lied to my wife last night about where I was.
B: Oh really? Did she find out you lied?
A: Yes, she did.
B: Oh oh. You're behind the eight ball now.

Practice:

Can you think of a time when you were behind the eight ball? What happened?