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Phrase: on the ropes
Usage: informal
  1. In difficulties and likely to fail
    "Italy's troubled prime minister is on the ropes";
    - on the rocks [informal]

Encyclopedia: On the ropes

Nearest

on the nose
on the off chance
on the offensive
on the one hand
on the other hand
on the Q.T.
on the QT
on the qui vive
on the road
on the rocks
on the ropes
on the run
on the side
on the sly
on the spot
on the spur of the moment
on the table
on the trot
on the up-and-up
on the way
on the whole