Behind the eight-ball

Is there a standard style for this ghastly cliche? Is it hyphenated; should I use 8 or spell it out?
It's in a quote, and I'm tempted to just toss it out all together.

 

Search your feelings, Colbert.

And go with them.

 

It's "8-ball."

Writing a story about pool are you?

 

Unless you're writing about the mutant monkey that had eight balls, then you spell it out with no hyphen.

 

Someone say 8-ball?

 

yes, but what does the AP say? i don't have my book here at home

 

I don't think AP addresses it.

 

You are behind the eight ball.

Like you'd be behind a red car.

Or, you drank a six pack.

 

I see this, I cut it. It is a cliche. Why don't we use something else, like up a creek without a paddle. Or how about writing that the pressure was on and things were bleak.

I am going to try and write a column at a game this spring that is all cliches. See how tortured it is. That would be fun.

 

Now there's a solution. ;D

 

Like I said, it was in a quote, though I agree, that doesn't make it right.