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...
Per Answers.com, to retreat, hang (back) or fall (behind) in movement, progress, development, etc.
Synonyms: http://www.answers.com/topic/fall-back-and-forward, http://www.answers.com/topic/lose,...