the ropes
IdiomsExample Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Just five years ago, North Korea, and seemingly Kim himself, appeared to be on the ropes.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026
After Rozicki stumbled back to the corner, his team threw in the towel and Billam-Smith climbed on the ropes to celebrate.
From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026
However, Dunkley is one of few England batters capable of clearing the ropes, which is an area in which they are lacking.
From BBC • May 28, 2026
Whether you were winning big or on the ropes, you always seemed even-keeled on camera.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 28, 2026
When it was standing fully upright on its flat base, the men were ordered to stop pulling on the ropes.
From "The (Mostly) True Story of Cleopatra's Needle" by Dan Gutman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
