in the hole

Idioms  

1. 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 .

2. 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]

3. 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 .

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Example Sentences

A golfer could place the ball in the hole by hand; a runner could drive to the finish line.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 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 process took over 45 minutes, said the unnamed eyewitness, who told NT News that there were "literal nappies", excrement and urine in the hole.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

When it’s all said and done, and the headphones have lost their charge, there’s nothing more for “Undertone” to do, no ace in the hole final punch to leave viewers breathless.

From Salon • Mar. 15, 2026

I poked a stick in the hole at the base of the rock trying to provoke him.

From "My Side of the Mountain" by Jean Craighead George

Related Words

• arrears
• bill
• capital
• commitment
• credit
• damage
• deficit
• due
• indebtedness
• liability
• mortgage
• obligation
• price tag
• receipt