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The expression comes from the pool-table. In some forms of pool, sinking or even touching the eight-ball is tabu except in end play. To be "behind the eight ball" is to be unable to play without disturbing the eight-ball, and thus the expression means "unable to do anything without getting in trouble."

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Q: Where did the saying behind the 8 ball come from?
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What does the phrase 'behind the eight ball' mean?

From the eponymous game, the phrase 'to be behind the 8-ball' means being in a difficult situation.This would seem to obviously stem from the fact that when playing 8-ball, the 8-ball must be pocketed after clearing the player's other seven balls (or, in some variations, that the 8-ball cannot be hit first). To be "behind" this ball would mean that the player has no clear shot at the balls he has left to sink.Other sources suggest the term comes from Kelly Pool and refers to balls behind the 8 ball (i.e. higher in number), or that the black ball is harder to aim.---In the game of '8-ball', as well as many others, the object of the game is, simply, to pocket the 8-ball. Many rules prevent a player from simply shooting 'for' or 'at' the 8-ball directly, such as, for example, a rule stating the balls must be pocketed in numerical rotation, or, perhaps, seven 'stripes' or 'solids' must be pocketed first.Nevertheless, a player behind the ball can still win. If his shot, as well as fulfilling any rule-based requirement, also, while at least one ball is still rolling, pockets the 8-ball.---The game is forfeited if a player's cue ball hits the (black) eight ball first. A 'behind the eight ball' position leaves a player in imminent danger of losing.It means you have a potential problem


What is the definition of the expression 'behind the 8-ball'?

In an awkward or disadvantageous position -- in billiards, the 8 ball is usually the last one that you want to sink into the pocket. Thus, if your cue ball is stuck behind it, there's not a lot you can do to make a point.


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What does the phrase 'behind the eight ball mean?

From the eponymous game, the phrase 'to be behind the 8-ball' means being in a difficult situation.This would seem to obviously stem from the fact that when playing 8-ball, the 8-ball must be pocketed after clearing the player's other seven balls (or, in some variations, that the 8-ball cannot be hit first). To be "behind" this ball would mean that the player has no clear shot at the balls he has left to sink.Other sources suggest the term comes from Kelly Pool and refers to balls behind the 8 ball (i.e. higher in number), or that the black ball is harder to aim.---In the game of '8-ball', as well as many others, the object of the game is, simply, to pocket the 8-ball. Many rules prevent a player from simply shooting 'for' or 'at' the 8-ball directly, such as, for example, a rule stating the balls must be pocketed in numerical rotation, or, perhaps, seven 'stripes' or 'solids' must be pocketed first.Nevertheless, a player behind the ball can still win. If his shot, as well as fulfilling any rule-based requirement, also, while at least one ball is still rolling, pockets the 8-ball.---The game is forfeited if a player's cue ball hits the (black) eight ball first. A 'behind the eight ball' position leaves a player in imminent danger of losing.It means you have a potential problem


How does behind the eight ball relate to billiards?

When playing the even-odd version of 8-ball in pool, you cannot sink the 8-ball until after all the rest of your seven balls. To be "behind the 8-ball" means that you may not have a clear shot at any of your remaining balls. So the term means that you are in an unfortunate situation or facing a tough problem.


What does the term behind the 8 ball mean?

In the game of pool, the 8-ball is the last ball a player must sink in order to win the game. However, until he or she has sunk all the rest of the balls (i.e. 1 through 7 or 9 through 15), touching the 8-ball with the cue ball is considered a foul stroke. Therefore, one is said to be "behind the 8-ball," it means to be stuck in a position where any move will have a negative result -- to be trapped with no way forward.


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