Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

on the ropes

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.66 in modern English

Syllables: on the ropes
IPA

15

Scrabble Score

10

Letters

1

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

prep_phrase

Leaning against the ropes of the boxing ring, as when exhausted and nearing defeat or collapse.

prep_phrase

Showing signs of imminent failure or collapse.

prep_phrase

Being threatened or pressured by a rival gang member.

Example Sentences

"The champ had his opponent on the ropes at the end of the third round and knocked him out in the fourth."
"After a good start in the stock market, this company seems to be on the ropes."
"So Ukraine is on the ropes. Using that boxing metaphor, one immediately thinks of the new world heavyweight champion, the Ukrainian Oleksandr Usyk, who was seemingly down and out under the ferocious assault of the giant Tyson Fury, but then came back to win on points at the end of a brutal 12 rounds."

Inflected Forms

up against the ropes (alternative)

Phrases

out on one's feet

Frequently Paired Words

out on one's feet

Questions

What does on the ropes mean?: Leaning against the ropes of the boxing ring, as when exhausted and nearing defeat or collapse.

How to pronounce on the ropes

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