on the ropes

English

(boxing, professional wrestling) Leaning against the ropes of the boxing ring, as when exhausted and nearing defeat or collapse.
The champ had his opponent on the ropes at the end of the third round and knocked him out in the fourth.
(figuratively, by extension) Showing signs of imminent failure or collapse.
After a good start in the stock market, this company seems to be on the ropes.
- 2024 May 24, Timothy Garton Ash, “Ukraine can still recover with bolder western support – but right now it’s on the ropes”, in The Guardian‎^[1], →ISSN:
  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.
(by extension, MLE) Being threatened or pressured by a rival gang member.

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

showing signs of imminent failure or collapse