be on the ropesinformalBEAT/DEFEAT to be in a very bad situation, in which you are likely to be defeated 濒于失败，走投无路 The army says the rebels are on the ropes. 军方说叛军已经走投无路。
be on the ropes• But behind the apparent success, the company was on the ropes.• Primary election results show the governor is on the ropes.• Even in the worst hours she never gave any public impression that she was on the ropes.• The army claims the Tigers are on the ropes.
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