on the ropes

Idioms  

1. 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

See Examples For:

on the ropes

But it might be debt, not equity, that has SpaceX on the ropes on Monday.

From Barron's ● Jun. 22, 2026

The New York Knicks were on the ropes Friday night in a pivotal Game 2 of the NBA Finals.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 9, 2026

BuzzFeed has been on the ropes, financially, for a number of years.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2026

Let's be honest, the multiple scandals about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor have really put the royals on the ropes.

From BBC ● Apr. 29, 2026

When he came within range, Brian gave the word, and we jerked back on the ropes.

From "The Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls