Synonyms

on the ropes

Idioms

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.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

From Barron's • Jun. 22, 2026

The South American heavyweights found themselves on the ropes in the face of Cape Verde's verve.

From BBC • Jun. 22, 2026

Scotland were on the ropes, covering up and praying that the punishment would stop.

From BBC • Jun. 20, 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

Yank on the ropes, watch the silly wooden soldier jump and twitch.

From "The Things They Carried" by Tim O'Brien

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