on the ropes

dans les cordes, au bord de l'effondrement

En grande difficulté et sur le point d'échouer ou d'être vaincu.

En anglais simple : In serious trouble and close to failing or being defeated.

• Their business is on the ropes.
• The scandal left the government on the ropes.
• Our team looked on the ropes, but we fought back.

Comment l'utiliser : have someone/something on the ropes (Rising costs have the company on the ropes.)

Synonymes : in trouble, near collapse

Expressions courantes : be on the ropes, business on the ropes

dans les cordes

Appuyé contre les cordes du ring, généralement épuisé et près de perdre le combat.

En anglais simple : Leaning against the ropes around a boxing ring, usually because you are tired and close to losing.

• The boxer was on the ropes.
• A hard punch left him on the ropes.
• She recovered after spending most of the round on the ropes.

Comment l'utiliser : have someone on the ropes (The champion had his opponent on the ropes by the second round.)

Expressions courantes : be on the ropes, boxer on the ropes

sous la menace d'un gang rival

Menacé ou soumis à la pression d'un membre d'un gang rival.

En anglais simple : Under threat or pressure from a member of a rival gang.

• The rival gang had him on the ropes.
• He was on the ropes after threats from a rival gang member.
• They kept him on the ropes until he left their territory.

Synonymes : under threat, under pressure

Expressions courantes : be on the ropes, on the ropes again