behind the eight ball

In a bad situation, in a losing position.

The phrase comes from pool (or billiards). When the cue (white) ball is behind the eight (black) ball, a player usually has no shot.

I'm really behind the eight ball at work. I have too much work to do but we can't afford to hire anyone to help out.

behind the eight ball by VAKI5 May 14, 2005

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Behind The Eight Ball

in an awkward or uncomfortable position

Having accepted two different invitations to dinner Saturday night, Clare found herself behind the eight ball.

Behind The Eight Ball by epm December 7, 2003

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behind the eight ball

Pool or pocket billiards term meaning: You are about to lose a game of eight ball because the opposing player is shooting the eight ball to win the game, and you are there standing or sitting behind it.

Has come to modern usage meaning you are in a bad situation or about to lose....or lost someone or something.

That new guy who was a math wiz left today: now we're really behind the eight ball.

I've been behind the eight ball ever since she left.

They put us behind the eight ball when they drafted that kid from Pacoima in the first round!

behind the eight ball by thedzone September 25, 2009

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Behind The Eight Ball

In trouble; make worse

"dude I'm behing the eight ball, can you help me!!!!"

Behind The Eight Ball by unknown May 27, 2003

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bang a you-ee

of Massachusetts orig. "to make a u-turn"

hey, we missed the bar, bang a you-ee

bang a you-ee by Pistolero Pierro May 4, 2008

Word of the Day on July 19, 2026

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Fleg

The word 'flag' as pronounced by people with thick Belfast accents. The term is a perfect encapsulation of the disproportionate and overblown reaction to the removal of the Union Jack (as in 'de fleg') from above City Hall in Belfast. Where previously it had flown for 365 days per year, it is now flown on 17 designated days of the year - in line with many other British cities.

The event caused a portion of the Protestant community ('fleggers') to make international pricks of themselves as they proceeded to wreck the fucking place, claiming it was another erosion of a 'British' identity they perceive to have been under attack since the horrifying spectre of equality reared its head in Northern Ireland.

The word 'fleg' - and indeed 'fleggers' - fittingly describes a section of humanity unconcerned with knowledge, reality or the vagaries of the English language. Like America's tea-baggers they are ruled by instinct, fear and paranoia with a side dish of rampant bigotry and startling ignorance of the world around them.

"Wat de fuck like! The taigs got de fleg took down! Let's wreck de fuckin place! No surrender!"

"De fleg has been took down! Before ye know it there'll be a united Ireland! Attack Short Strand! God Save The Queen!"

Fleg by OnionFleg August 9, 2013

Word of the Day on July 18, 2026

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Skeef

To take something small, that doesn't quite qualify as a theft. Probably from the Danish "skæv" or the Dutch "scheef", both of which are pronounced similarly, meaning "askew, or not quite right'. To change an item's ownership without permission, but only something small and of little worth.

"I skeefed an apple off the neighbor's tree." "I skeefed some chips outta your bag when you looked away." "Don't skeef my chair when I go to the bathroom."

Skeef by kachinaflonk July 16, 2026

Word of the Day on July 17, 2026

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