How do you use "On the ropes" in a sentence?

The company is on the ropes financially. After that scandal, his career is on the ropes. We had them on the ropes.

On the ropes

Q: What does "On the ropes" mean?

In serious trouble; near defeat. From boxing—when a boxer is pushed against the ropes, they're in a bad position. Used for anyone in serious difficulty.

Slang Term AmericanBritishAustralian ★★★★☆ Common Casual

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Significado: In serious trouble; near defeat.

陷入严重困境；接近失败

En serios problemas; cerca de la derrota.

深刻な問題に直面している、敗北寸前

심각한 곤경에 처한, 패배 직전의

From boxing—when a boxer is pushed against the ropes, they're in a bad position. Used for anyone in serious difficulty.

源自拳击——当拳击手被逼到围绳上时处于不利位置。用于任何陷入严重困境的人。

Del boxeo—cuando un boxeador es empujado contra las cuerdas, está en mala posición. Se usa para cualquiera en dificultades serias.

ボクシング由来の表現。ボクサーがロープに追い詰められると不利な状況になる。深刻な困難に陥っている人に使われる。

권투에서 유래—권투 선수가 로프에 밀리면 불리한 위치에 놓인다. 심각한 어려움에 처한 사람에게 쓰인다.

Significado literal: Pushed against boxing ring ropes

Ejemplos

The company is on the ropes financially.
公司财务上岌岌可危
La empresa está contra las cuerdas financieramente
その会社は財政的に追い詰められている
그 회사는 재정적으로 궁지에 몰려 있다.
After that scandal, his career is on the ropes.
那场丑闻后，他的职业生涯岌岌可危
Después de ese escándalo, su carrera está en peligro
そのスキャンダルの後、彼のキャリアは危機に瀕している
그 스캔들 이후, 그의 커리어는 위기에 처해 있다.
We had them on the ropes.
我们把他们逼到了绝境
Los teníamos contra las cuerdas
彼らを追い詰めた
우리가 그들을 궁지로 몰아넣었다.

Pronunciación

/ɒn ðə rəʊps/

Guía de uso

Contexto: trouble, losing, competition

Tono: dramatic, concerned

✓ Correcto

On the ropes.
岌岌可危
Contra las cuerdas
追い詰められている
궁지에 몰렸어
Had them on the ropes.
把他们逼到绝境
Los teníamos acorralados
彼らを追い詰めた
그들을 궁지에 몰았어
Really on the ropes.
真的很危险
Realmente en apuros
本当に追い詰められている
정말 위기야

✗ Incorrecto

In trouble
In trouble（有麻烦）
In trouble（En problemas）
In trouble（困っている）
In trouble（곤란한）
Nearly beaten
Nearly beaten（几乎被打败）
Nearly beaten（Casi vencido）
Nearly beaten（ほぼ負けている）
Nearly beaten（거의 진）

Errores comunes

Boxing metaphor
Implies but doesn't confirm defeat

Origen e historia

From boxing—being forced back against the ropes indicates losing the fight.

Etimología: Boxing slang, early 20th century

Primera vez registrado: Early 1900s

Contexto cultural

Era: Early 20th century to present

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Pop culture: Boxing; Business commentary

Regional notes: Universal English boxing metaphor.

Variaciones

On the ropesHad them on the ropesAgainst the ropes

Frases relacionadas

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Kick off ★★★★★ To start something; also to become angry (British). Throw in the towel ★★★★★ To give up or admit defeat. Touch base ★★★★★ To make brief contact with someone. Game plan ★★★★★ A strategy or plan of action. Par for the course ★★★★★ Normal or expected; typical for the situation. Front runner ★★★★★ The leading candidate or competitor.