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

Very promising and Hearts looked on the ropes.

From BBC

City were on the ropes and just about absorbing shots as they clung on for the points.

From BBC

While the men pulled on the ropes with all their might, I drew a picture....

From Literature

When it was standing fully upright on its flat base, the men were ordered to stop pulling on the ropes.

From Literature

Cowering on the ropes for much of a second half dominated by Jack Dempsey's carries, Gregor Brown's power, Rory Hutchinson's unrelenting attacking and Kyle Steyn's constant influence, the visitors found something when it looked like they had nothing.

From BBC