Dictionary

on the ropes en · ADP

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Meanings

1. Leaning against the ropes of the boxing ring, as when exhausted and nearing defeat or collapse.
   • The champ had his opponent on the ropes at the end of the third round and knocked him out in the fourth.
2. (broadly, figuratively) Showing signs of imminent failure or collapse.
   • So Ukraine is on the ropes. Using that boxing metaphor, one immediately thinks of the new world heavyweight champion, the Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, who was seemingly down and out under the ferocious assault of the giant Tyson Fury, but then came back to win on points at the end of a brutal 12 rounds. 2024 May 24, Timothy Garton Ash, “Ukraine can still recover with bolder western support – but right now it’s on the ropes”, in The Guardian, →ISSN, archived from the original on 14 Dec 2024:
   • After a good start in the stock market, this company seems to be on the ropes.
3. (Multicultural-London-English, broadly) Being threatened or pressured by a rival gang member.

Forms

Relateds

out on one's feet

Translations (16)

de in den Seilen (showing signs of imminent failure or collapse) · it essere alla frutta (leaning against the ropes of the boxing ring, as when exhausted and nearing defeat or collapse) · es contra las cuerdas (leaning against the ropes of the boxing ring, as when exhausted and nearing defeat or collapse) · fi pulassa (showing signs of imminent failure or collapse) · ga in ísle brí (showing signs of imminent failure or collapse) · es contra las cuerdas (showing signs of imminent failure or collapse) · scn essere alla frutta (showing signs of imminent failure or collapse) · de in den Seilen (leaning against the ropes of the boxing ring, as when exhausted and nearing defeat or collapse) · fi nojaamassa köysiin (leaning against the ropes of the boxing ring, as when exhausted and nearing defeat or collapse) · ga ar na rópaí (leaning against the ropes of the boxing ring, as when exhausted and nearing defeat or collapse) · fi köysissä (leaning against the ropes of the boxing ring, as when exhausted and nearing defeat or collapse) · ga ar an dé deiridh (showing signs of imminent failure or collapse) · pt na corda bamba (showing signs of imminent failure or collapse) · fi toivottamassa jamassa (showing signs of imminent failure or collapse) · ga ag streachailt (showing signs of imminent failure or collapse) · ca contra les cordes (showing signs of imminent failure or collapse)