在美式英語中，當某人說自己 in the hole，意思就是他遇到經濟困難，負債累累。至於具體欠了多少，只需在這個短語前加上數字就行。
I'm very worried. I have just lost my job and I'm $1,000 in the hole.
Economists are scratching their heads. The global recession has left many countries in the hole. Which ones are likely to regain prosperity?
另一個短語 pick holes 的意思是挑毛病、找茬兒、吹毛求疵。
I think my professor is too hard on me. He keeps picking holes in my essays all the time.