How do you use "Behind the eight ball" in a sentence?

We're really behind the eight ball on this project — the deadline is Friday. Missing that flight put us behind the eight ball for the whole trip. He started the semester behind the eight ball after being sick for two weeks.

Behind the eight ball

Q: What does "Behind the eight ball" mean?

In a difficult or disadvantageous position; in trouble. Describes being in a tough spot where your options are limited. Whether you're behind on a deadline, facing unexpected problems, or starting at a disadvantage, being behind the eight ball means things aren't looking good. Used in both casual and professional settings.

American Slang Term American ★★★☆☆ Moderate informal

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Significado: In a difficult or disadvantageous position; in trouble.

处于困难或不利的境地；陷入麻烦。

En una posición difícil o desfavorable; en apuros.

困難な状況や不利な立場にあること。窮地に立たされていること。

어려운 상황이나 불리한 입장에 처해 있는 것. 곤경에 빠져 있는 것.

Describes being in a tough spot where your options are limited. Whether you're behind on a deadline, facing unexpected problems, or starting at a disadvantage, being behind the eight ball means things aren't looking good. Used in both casual and professional settings.

形容身处困境、选择有限的状态。无论是赶不上截止日期、遇到意外问题，还是一开始就处于劣势，behind the eight ball都意味着情况不妙。在日常和职场中都常用。

Describe estar en una situación complicada en la que tus opciones son limitadas. Ya sea que vayas retrasado con una fecha de entrega, te enfrentes a problemas inesperados o partas con desventaja, estar «behind the eight ball» significa que las cosas no pintan bien. Se usa tanto en contextos informales como profesionales.

選択肢が限られている厳しい状況にいることを表す。締め切りに遅れている、予想外の問題に直面している、最初から不利な立場にいる場合など、behind the eight ballは状況が芳しくないことを意味する。カジュアルな場面でもビジネスの場面でも使われる。

선택지가 제한된 어려운 상황에 처해 있음을 나타낸다. 마감에 쫓기거나 예상치 못한 문제에 직면하거나 불리한 출발을 했을 때, behind the eight ball이라 함은 상황이 좋지 않다는 뜻이다. 일상적인 대화와 직장에서 모두 쓰인다.

Ejemplos

We're really behind the eight ball on this project — the deadline is Friday.
这个项目我们真的很被动——截止日期是周五。
Estamos realmente en apuros con este proyecto — la fecha límite es el viernes.
このプロジェクトは本当にピンチだ——締め切りは金曜日なのに。
이 프로젝트는 정말 난감한 상황이야 — 마감이 금요일인데.
Missing that flight put us behind the eight ball for the whole trip.
错过那班飞机让我们整个行程都陷入了被动。
Perder ese vuelo nos dejó en desventaja durante todo el viaje.
あの飛行機に乗り遅れたせいで、旅行全体が後手に回ってしまった。
그 비행기를 놓치는 바람에 여행 내내 뒷수습하느라 바빴어.
He started the semester behind the eight ball after being sick for two weeks.
他因为生病请了两周假，学期一开始就落后了。
Empezó el semestre con el pie izquierdo después de estar enfermo dos semanas.
2週間病気で休んだせいで、学期の始めから不利な状況だった。
2주 동안 아파서 쉬는 바람에 학기 초부터 불리한 상황이었어.

Pronunciación

Guía de uso

Contexto: workplace, casual conversation, sports

Tono: worried, stressed

✓ Correcto

We're behind the eight ball here.
我们现在很被动。
Estamos en apuros con esto.
今かなり窮地に立たされてるよ。
우리 지금 정말 곤란한 상황이야.
That put us behind the eight ball.
那件事让我们陷入了被动。
Eso nos dejó en una situación complicada.
あれで不利な状況に追い込まれた。
그 일 때문에 우리가 불리해졌어.

✗ Incorrecto

The pool metaphor may be lost on people who don't play billiards — context usually makes the meaning clear though
这个比喻来自台球，不玩台球的人可能不太理解——不过通常从上下文就能明白意思
La metáfora del billar puede perderse con quienes no conocen el juego, aunque el contexto suele dejar claro el significado.
ビリヤードの比喩はプールをやらない人には伝わらないかもしれないが、文脈から意味は大体わかる
당구를 치지 않는 사람에게는 비유가 와닿지 않을 수 있지만, 문맥상 의미는 대체로 통한다

Origen e historia

From billiards/pool. In many rule sets, if the cue ball is directly behind the eight ball, you're in a terrible position because you can't make a clean shot. The phrase entered American slang in the 1920s-1930s.

Contexto cultural

Era: 1920s-present

Generation: Boomers, Gen X

Social background: Universal

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