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on the ropes

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Idioms and Phrases

On the verge of defeat or collapse, helpless, as in They acknowledged that their campaign was on the ropes, and they could not possibly win the election . This expression, alluding to a boxer forced back to the ropes of the ring and leaning against them for support, has been used figuratively since the mid-1900s.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But they launched a stunning series of counter-punches that left PSG on the ropes, and Villa just one goal away from forcing extra time.

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The Scot dominated the early stages on Sunday to lead 5-1 but appeared on the ropes when Selby reeled off seven consecutive frames to hold an 8-5 advantage in a high-quality encounter.

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But in this moment, with Sasaki seemingly on the ropes, Roberts got his bullpen active while staring toward the mound with a contemplative gaze.

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They had an Italy side on the ropes, lacking in motivation after their pumping by France, before giving the likes of Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello and some proud Italian players a bit of life to not make it difficult, but a bit awkward.

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In boxing parlance, Scotland were stuck on the ropes, almost defenceless, eyes rolling in the back of their head as Wales unloaded.

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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

on the rocks on the run

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