on the ropes
About to fall
On the ropes describes someone in desperate trouble, close to defeat or collapse.
The phrase comes from boxing, where a fighter driven back against the ropes is in a defensive, vulnerable position: The company is on the ropes after three quarters of losses.
It implies imminent failure unless something changes.
Experiencing serious difficulty
- flounderingStruggling clumsily, failing
- collapsingFalling inward suddenly
- crumblingBreaking down gradually
- sinkingFalling through water
deteriorating · languishing · beleaguered · troubled · hard-pressed · desperate · faltering · declining
Without means to resist
- exposedOut in open
- weakenedMade less capable
- corneredUnable to flee
- overwhelmedDefeated by sheer volume
besieged · outmatched · helpless · precarious · unprotected · fragile · susceptible · at the mercy of
struggling
Experiencing serious difficulty
- flounderingStruggling clumsily, failing
- collapsingFalling inward suddenly
- crumblingBreaking down gradually
sinking · deteriorating · languishing · beleaguered · troubled · hard-pressed · desperate · faltering · declining · weakening
defenseless
Without means to resist
overwhelmed · besieged · outmatched · helpless · precarious · unprotected · fragile · susceptible · at the mercy of · backed into a corner
ring
Closed curve shape
referee · bout · round · gloves · sparring · jab · uppercut · hook · punch · boxer
- combat idiomsstab in the back, dodge a bullet, in the crosshairs, fire away, take a shot
- Competition idiomslevel playing field, down to the wire, neck and neck, win hands down, come from behind
- hardshipshardship, adversity, struggle, misfortune, difficulties
- boxingjab, uppercut, hook, punch, knockout
- burnoutburned out, burnt out, burn out, burning out, burnout
- competition metaphorslevel playing field, race to the bottom, win-win, rat race, front runner
on the ropesin the driver's seat
Having control or authority
on top · in control · ahead of the game · dominating · winning
on the ropesin control
Managing with authority
secure · stable · on solid ground · safe and sound · sitting pretty
on the ropesgoing strong
Continuing vigorously, undiminished
thriving · flourishing · on the rise · on the up and up · firing on all cylinders