IdiomDaily Life
Italian
Italianalle corde
Meaning: In a desperate or losing position, cornered.
Literally: At the ropes
Example: “Dopo il terzo bilancio in rosso, l'azienda è alle corde.” — After the third year of losses, the company is on the ropes.
English equivalent: On the ropes
Equivalents in other languages
English: on the ropes
Origin: From boxing: a fighter driven back against the ropes (corde) of the ring has nowhere left to retreat. The Hoepli dictionary records mettere alle corde, to corner someone and leave them no way out, and essere alle corde for being in that position.
More Italian idioms
- mela marcia A person who is corrupt or morally bad and whose influence damages those around them.
- toccare il fondo To reach the lowest point of degradation or despair; to hit rock bottom.
- dannarsi l'anima To work extremely hard or exert oneself to the utmost.
- guardarsi alle spalle To remain vigilant and aware of dangers or threats that might come from behind.
- qui casca l'asino That is the crux of the matter; that is where the real difficulty lies.
- mandare giù To accept or tolerate something unwillingly, often swallowing one's pride or doubts.
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- Chi è Ciccio Capece? Ciccio Capece è un capocaccia che caccia con la cacciaballa. A 'c/ci/ccia' onslaught — Italian's hard and soft c in the same sentence, non-stop.
- Sopra la panca la capra campa, sotto la panca la capra crepa. A beloved 'c' / 'p' rhythm trap.
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