in the hole

Definitions

1. Having suffered net losses; in debt.
   idiomatic
2. Of a card ("the hole card") which is dealt face down and thus unknown to all but its holder; hence (idiomatic) in reserve; in particular ace in the hole.

Examples

“Further testimony to his commercial incompetence lay⟳ in the fact that, at fifty cents a copy⟳, a complete⟳ sellout would have⟳ left him worse than $300 in the hole—proof enough, if proof was needed, that it wasn't primarily money he was after; it was fame.”

“Finance Director Robert Law added that even if Camden laid off all of its civilian employees, it would still be millions in the hole.”

“Instead it was a critical and commercial bomb that put⟳ his production company millions in the hole, necessitating two Pusher sequels (in 2004 and 2005) to get⟳ him in the black.”

CEFR level