on the ropes

Meaning

1. Oxford75% of films

   very close to being defeated

   - We saw the smoke. - Yeah.

In the movies · 6

• - We saw the smoke. - Yeah.19172019
• Well, that's a scrum on the ropes, right there.Everest2015
• Yeah. He got the left hand on the ropes now.Do the Right Thing1989
• He had you on the ropes, John.The Man from Earth2007
• I want to be on the ropes. Okay?La La Land2016
• Braddock is back on the ropes.Cinderella Man2005
• We got 'em on the ropes!American Underdog2021
• Got 'em on the ropes, at least.19172019

Learn it in full scenes

• Do the Right Thing1989
  • Love Daddy Wakes the Block
  • Morning Shift at Sal's Pizzeria
  • Da Mayor Sweeps and Gets Scolded
• American Underdog2021
  • Kurt Warner's Impossible Dream
  • Kurt Learns to Dance for a Girl
  • Kurt Earns Brenda's Name

From the same entry

• give enough rope
• show the ropes
• be at the end of your tether
• money for jam rope
• rope in
• rope off