on the ropes

追い詰められて、崩壊寸前で

深刻な困難に陥り、失敗や敗北が目前に迫っている状態。

やさしい英語で： 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.

使い方： have someone/something on the ropes (Rising costs have the company on the ropes.)

類義語： in trouble, near collapse

よく使う表現： be on the ropes, business on the ropes

ロープ際に追い詰められて

疲れなどでリングのロープにもたれ、負けそうになっている状態。

やさしい英語で： 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.

使い方： have someone on the ropes (The champion had his opponent on the ropes by the second round.)

よく使う表現： be on the ropes, boxer on the ropes

敵対するギャングに脅されて

敵対するギャングの一員から脅しや圧力を受けている状態。

やさしい英語で： 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.

類義語： under threat, under pressure

よく使う表現： be on the ropes, on the ropes again