当某人说自己 in the hole，意思就是他遇到经济困难，负债累累。至于具体欠了多少，只需在这个短语前加上数字就行。
- 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?
值得注意的是，另一个短语 pick holes 的意思是挑毛病、找茬儿、吹毛求疵。
- I think my professor is too hard on me. He keeps picking holes in my essays all the time.
