Pronunciation: [ɡɒt ˌɒn ɹˈə͡ʊps] (IPA) 
The correct spelling of the phrase "got on ropes" is /ɡɒt ɒn rəʊps/. The "g" sound is pronounced with a voiced velar plosive /ɡ/ and the "o" is pronounced with the open mid-back rounded vowel /ɒ/. The "r" is pronounced with the alveolar approximant /r/ and the "o" in "ropes" is pronounced with the diphthong /əʊ/. The spelling of this phrase may vary depending on local accents and dialects.
"Got on ropes" is a colloquial expression mostly used in sports or competitive contexts, which refers to an individual or a team being in a difficult or challenging situation. The phrase originates from boxing, wherein a boxer who is being repeatedly hit and pushed back towards the ropes of the ring is considered to be in a vulnerable position with limited options for defense or escape.
Figuratively, "got on ropes" represents a state of being overwhelmed, cornered, or outmatched. It implies that someone is struggling to cope with the challenges or pressures they are facing, leaving them on the brink of defeat or failure. It suggests a feeling of being trapped or controlled by the circumstances, similar to how a boxer pinned against the ropes lacks mobility and freedom of movement.
The phrase can be applied to various situations beyond sports, such as in personal or professional life, to describe a person who is facing significant obstacles, adversity, or intense pressure. It conveys a sense of urgency and the need for action or strategy to overcome those challenges before succumbing to them. To "get on ropes" is to be at the mercy of external forces, requiring resilience, resourcefulness, and determination to regain control or turn the situation around.
