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View synonyms for

in the hole

  1. 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 .

  2. 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 .

  3. 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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Example Sentences

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Then with two out, shortstop Mookie Betts made a slick backhand play deep in the hole and retired Jacob Stallings on a one-hop throw to first.

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Plays like the one he made in the top of the sixth inning Friday, when he sprinted some 50 feet from a shifted position behind second base to reach a ground ball in the hole and make a spinning throw from the shallow outfield grass to first, are what they envisioned.

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In the fifth, Rojas was denied a hit when shortstop Paul DeJong made a diving stop deep in the hole — just two batters before Ohtani laced a triple that would have brought him home, but instead was wasted in a scoreless inning.

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Observers point to Larry Ellison’s prominent support of Trump as Skydance’s ace in the hole.

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Earlier on Tuesday, rescuers found a mobile phone and the motorcycle in the hole which is 20m wide and 20m deep, according to local media.

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in the heat ofin the hope