1.表述：eleventh hour

释义：The last possible moment or opportunity.（最后一刻，危机时刻）

例句：I was shocked that they reached an agreement at the eleventh hour after weeks of squabbling.

经过几个星期的争吵，他们终于在最后一刻达成了协议，这使我感到震惊。

I was shocked that they reached an eleventh-hour decision after weeks of squabbling.

经过几周的争吵，他们终于在最后一刻做出了决定，我很震惊。

——Did you hand in the report?——Yeah. I turned in the report at the eleventh hour.

——你上交报告了吗？——交了，我在最后时刻上交了。

She was asked, at the eleventh hour, to step in and be the leading role in the sitcom.

在最后时刻，她被请来担当这部情景喜剧的主角。

2. 表述：behind the eight ball

释义：To be in trouble; in a weak or losing position. （处于困境）

例句：If we don't leave early tomorrow, we'll be behind the eight ball, and I doubt we'll reach the cabin by dusk.

如果我们明天不早点出发，我们就麻烦了，我怀疑黄昏前我们到不了船舱。

Coach Jones is behind the eight ball this season. He's got to win more than he loses or he'll get fired for sure, and the team has already lost the first five.

Jones教练这个赛季处于岌岌可危的境地。他务必赢多输少才行，否则他一定会被解雇，更何况他的球队已经输了头五场比赛。

My friend Pete has been out of work six months and he's really behind the eight ball. He’s used up his savings and can't pay his rent or the payments he owes on his car.

我的朋友Pete失业有六个月了，可真是山穷水尽。他已经用完了手头所有积蓄，连欠的房租和汽车贷款都付不出了。