Behind the eight ball

To be “behind the eight ball” means to be at a disadvantage. The expression comes from the game of pool. In pool, if your target ball is literally positioned behind the eight ball – which is the losing ball – you’re in an unfavorable position or at a disadvantage. Coca-Cola and Pepsi, finding themselves “behind the eight ball,” or at a disadvantage compared to their competitors, scrambled to come up with their own diet soda offerings. After the employee didn’t meet his deadlines, he found himself “behind the eight ball” for the promotion he wanted.