IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishon the ropes
Meaning: Close to defeat or collapse.
Example: “After two bad seasons, the club is on the ropes.”
Origin: From boxing, where a fighter driven back against the ropes of the ring is nearly beaten. The figurative use is common from the early 20th century.
Equivalents in other languages
Italian: alle corde Literally: At the ropes
More English idioms
- hit rock bottom To reach the lowest possible point.
- work one's fingers to the bone To work extremely hard.
- watch one's back To stay alert to hidden threats.
- set someone's heart racing To excite or alarm someone.
- forget one's own head To be extremely forgetful.
- take to one's heels To run away.
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