Estar contra las cuerdas?

Question

Qué quiere decir? Quizás, "To be against the ropes?"

¿Alguien me puede explicar el significado, y además, de cuál país viene la expresión?

¿Es una expresión común?

Makes me think of a wrestling ring...sounds like "back against the wall"...but I don't know. - webdunce, Nov 10, 2011

@Webdunce: Exactly, but it probably has more to do with boxing than wrestling. In boxing, people have died in the past because they were pressed up against the ropes being hammered by punches with no way to back away and no way to fall down because.... - Izanoni1, Nov 10, 2011

...the ropes were there holding them up. - Izanoni1, Nov 10, 2011

Answer 1

Hi Xerxes

The RAE defines the expression contra las cuerdas as:

En una situación comprometida de la que es difícil salir.

In a compromising situation that is difficult to get out of.

This is very much in accordance with the English version "his back against the ropes" Both expressions likely come from boxing where being pinned against the ropes by your opponent while he hammers you with punches is considered a tough spot to get out of. For the same reason, the English expression "on the ropes" often means that the person is in such a bad spot that they are barely holding on (as though after having been knocked senseless by their opponent, only the ring ropes were holding them up).

against the ropes is very similar to "having your back against/ to the wall" - 0074b507, Nov 10, 2011

@Qfreed: Exactly. See my comments above to Webdunce in regards to the metaphoric meaning in regards to boxing. - Izanoni1, Nov 10, 2011

Thanks Izanoni! Much appreciated. - DonCiro, Nov 10, 2011