in the hole
Idioms-
In debt; in trouble, especially financial trouble. For example, Joan is too extravagant; she's always in the hole , or Buying all these Christmas presents will put us in the hole for the next few months . [ Colloquial ; early 1800s] Also see in a bind .
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In trouble in a competitive sport. For example, At three balls and no strikes, the pitcher's in the hole , or The batter's got two strikes on him; he's in the hole . [ Slang ; late 1800s]
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In a card game, scoring lower than zero. For example, Only one hand's been dealt and I'm already three points in the hole . This expression alludes to the practice of circling a minus score in the old game of euchre. The antonym for all three usages is out of the hole , as in It took careful financial management to get Kevin out of the hole , or An experienced pitcher often can manage to get out of the hole . Also see ace in the hole .
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She saw a long line of concrete trucks headed that way a few days ago, and a contractor told her the concrete was to fill in the hole.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026
So I thought I already look a bit stupid so I might as well look in the hole.
From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026
But make no mistake, all of this is enabled by low costs to reach space, and SpaceX’s ace in the hole is its giant, fully reusable rocket, Starship.
From Barron's ● Apr. 26, 2026
The idea of making golfers actually get the ball in the hole raises all sorts of concerns.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 6, 2026
As the sun rose, the lizards moved lower in the hole, keeping mainly in the shade.
From "Holes" by Louis Sachar
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
