Definitions

in the hole

Part of Speech:

All (4) Adjective (1) Noun (3)

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in the red adj.
debt n.
deficit n.
shortfall n.

ADJECTIVE

in the red

Synonyms

WEAK

at a loss bankrupt behindhand defaulting delinquent in arrears in debt in dire straits in hock insolvent losing money nonpaying to the bad unprofitably

Antonyms

WEAK

in the black

NOUN

debt

Synonyms

STRONGEST

arrears bill capital commitment credit damage deficit due indebtedness liability mortgage obligation price tag receipt

STRONG

IOU albatross baggage bite check chit claim cuff debenture debit dues duty encumbrance invoice manifest note reckoning responsibility score tab tally voucher

WEAK

arrearage bad news below the line dead horse in hock in the red outstandings promissory note red ink

Antonyms

STRONG

irresponsibility

WEAK

asset cash excess profit

NOUN

deficit

Synonyms

STRONGEST

loss shortfall

STRONG

arrears defalcation default deficiency dues inadequacy insufficiency lack paucity scantiness shortcoming

WEAK

dead horse due bill in hock in the red insufficience red ink underage

Antonyms

STRONG

abundance adequacy advantage enough perfection plenty satisfaction success sufficiency

WEAK

excess superfluousness

NOUN

shortfall

Synonyms

STRONGEST

deficiency flaw lack loss shortage shortcoming

STRONG

arrears default defectiveness inadequacy incompleteness insufficiency

WEAK

in the red insufficience red ink underage

Antonyms

STRONGEST

abundance enough perfection plenty success sufficiency

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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in the hole

Phil, now the model arts institution in the country if not the world, was millions of dollars in the hole.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 25, 2026

Traffic cones have been placed around the crater, and AFP reported that waves pounding the sea front can be seen "lapping in the hole and rushing out again under the stanchions that support the home".

From BBC ● Sep. 9, 2026

“And as soon as we look in the hole, there’s the mama bear staring at us,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 30, 2026

Yemen’s Houthi militants played a smaller role but were an ace in the hole, posing an implied threat to another strategic waterway, the Bab al-Mandab Strait that connects the Red Sea with the Indian Ocean.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 18, 2026

There were eight lizards in the hole with him.

From "Holes" by Louis Sachar

in the hole

Example Sentences

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