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This is a billiard term that has been co-opted as a general term. In the billiard game of 8 ball, there are 15 balls on the table. The object is to get all of your balls in a pocket, either 1-7 often refered to stripes or 9-15 refered to as solids and then sink the 8 ball. If you accidentally make the 8 ball before you make all of the others, you lose. So, being behind the 8 ball, which is black, is an unenviable position to be in.

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Q: What does being behind the black ball means?
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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


Is the phrase behind the eight ball racist?

No, it has nothing to do with race. It is a pool or pocket billiards term that means you are in a tricky position without much hope of getting out of it.


What is A for?

A means you are saying something to 1 person. For example: Can I have a ball? Means can I have 1 ball.


What does He was behind the curve ball on that one mean?

It means that someone has mixed up three different expressions. One is "to be put behind the eight ball," which is an allusion to the game of pool, meaning to be placed in an awkward, difficult or untenable position. The second expression is to "throw someone a curve ball," which is an allusion to the game of baseball, meaning to suddenly introduce unexpected difficulties for someone. Third is to be "behind the curve," an allusion to graphs, meaning not at the leading edge of things, out of it, slow or stupid. As to what the sentence is TRYING to mean, that's anyone's guess. Maybe its intended meaning is He really dropped the ball that time, or He messed up hugely there.


What does give a ball pen mean?

That means that the person wants to do something something related to ball and a pen. Second meaning He want a ball pen.

Related questions

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 answer to mickeys riddle cap with an N ice cube and box with a black ball behind it?

nice behind


What is heeled in soccer?

It probably means a back heel, where the ball is behind you and you use your heel to hit the ball


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 is a cannon ball being shot?

the explosion of gunpowder behind it propells it out of the cannon.


If a ball hits only the black edge of home plate is it a ball or strike?

if the ball hits the black edge of the home plate this means it is a ball. hope I helped. if you have anyome more trouble email and I can help(:


What is behind 8 ball?

behind a 8 pool ball


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.


Where should the black ball go in billiards?

This depends upon the game being played. In English Billiards, there is no black ball. In Pocket Billiards, each game is different - In 7 ball, there is no black ball; In 8 Ball, it goes in the center; In 9 Ball, it may be placed anywhere except the apex; In Straight Pool it can go anyplace except the back to corners.


How does the Hoberman Switch Pitch ball work and what are the physics concepts behind it?

soon black people can go white and white people can go black by just throwing them


Why do they spray indoor bowls?

any bowls that touch the jack are sprayed in case the jack ends up being knocked into the ditch behind. the nearest marked bowl not in the ditch scores.


Where did the saying behind the 8 ball come from?

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."