on the ropes
Slang Term
BritishAmericanAustralian
Unknown
informal
Meaning: in serious trouble
陷入严重困境
En serios apuros.
深刻な窮地にある
심각한 곤경에 처한
In a very difficult situation, close to defeat. From boxing where a tired fighter leans on the ropes for support.
处于非常困难的境地,接近失败。源自拳击中疲惫的拳手靠在绳索上支撑自己。
En una situación muy difícil, al borde de la derrota. Proviene del boxeo, donde un boxeador agotado se apoya en las cuerdas.
非常に困難な状況にあり、敗北寸前であること。ボクシングで疲れた選手がロープにもたれかかることに由来。
매우 어려운 상황에 처해 패배에 가까운 것. 복싱에서 지친 선수가 로프에 기대 버티는 것에서 유래.
Examples
- The company is on the ropes after the lawsuit. 官司之后,那家公司岌岌可危。La empresa está contra las cuerdas tras la demanda.訴訟後、その会社は追い詰められている。소송 이후 그 회사는 벼랑 끝에 몰려 있다.
- He had them on the ropes by the second round. 到第二回合他就把对手逼入了绝境。Los tenía contra las cuerdas en el segundo asalto.第2ラウンドまでに彼は相手を追い詰めた。2라운드까지 그는 상대를 궁지로 몰았다.
- The government is on the ropes over this scandal. 这起丑闻让政府陷入了困境。El gobierno está contra las cuerdas por este escándalo.政府はこのスキャンダルで窮地に立たされている。정부는 이 스캔들로 궁지에 몰려 있다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: business, sports, politics
Tone: critical
✓ Do Say
- Describe serious trouble描述严重的困境Describir problemas graves深刻な窮地を表現する심각한 곤경을 묘사할 때
✗ Don't Say
- For minor setbacks不用于小挫折No se usa para contratiempos menoresちょっとした挫折には使わない사소한 차질에는 부적절
Origin & History
Boxing - when a fighter is pushed back against the ropes, they're in a defensive, vulnerable position and likely losing.
Cultural Context
Era: timeless
Generation: all ages
Social background: all
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Normal or expected; typical for the situation.
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