eightball

American  

[eyt-bawl] / ˈeɪtˌbɔl /

noun

1. Pool.

   1. a black ball marked with the number eight.

   2. a game in which one player or side must pocket all of either the solid-color balls or the striped ones before being permitted to attempt the pocketing of the eightball, which wins.

2. Slang. an inept person.

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idioms

1. behind the eightball, in a difficult, disadvantageous, or uncomfortable situation.

   He hasn't studied all term, and now he's behind the eightball.

Etymology

Origin of eightball

An Americanism dating back to 1930–35; eight + ball ¹

Example Sentences

Her lack of home metallurgical supplies would indicate that here, too, a warring Germany would be behind the eightball.

From Time Magazine Archive

His story: while he and Charley Skorpea were playing pool for the championship of Boggy Creek Bottoms, a fly lighted on the eightball.

From Time Magazine Archive