From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishbe on the ropesbe on the ropesinformalBEAT/DEFEAT to be in a very bad situation, in which you are likely to be defeated The army says the rebels are on the ropes. → rope
Examples from the Corpus
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. 