World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesRope-a-dope
/ˌroʊp.əˈdoʊp/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
A boxing tactic of defensive endurance where a fighter retreats to the ropes to absorb blows while tiring out the opponent before launching a counter-offensive.
"Ali famously used the rope-a-dope to exhaust George Foreman in Zaire."
- 1
To deliberately draw an opponent or rival into overextending themselves by feigning weakness or passivity.
"The tech startup played rope-a-dope with the industry giant before launching its disruptive product."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Coined during the famous 1974 'Rumble in the Jungle' boxing match by Muhammad Ali to describe his strategy of leaning against the ropes and letting his opponent punch themselves out. The term blends 'rope' (referring to the boxing ring's ropes) with 'dope' (slang for a foolish or exhausted person), subsequently expanding from sports into general political and strategic discourse.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Rope-a-dope"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Rope-a-dope" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
technique de la corde
Transliteration: tek-nik də la kɔʁd
"Il a utilisé la technique de la corde pour épuiser son adversaire."
Rope-a-Dope-Taktik
Transliteration: Rope-a-Dope-Taktik
"Der Boxer wandte erfolgreich die Rope-a-Dope-Taktik an."
strategia della corda
Transliteration: stra-te-ʤia della kor-da
"Il campione ha vinto grazie alla classica strategia della corda."
la táctica de las cuerdas
Transliteration: la tak-ti-ka de las kweɾ-das
"El boxeador aplicó la táctica de las cuerdas para desgastar al rival."
técnica das cordas
Transliteration: tɛk-ni-kɐ das koɾ-dɐs
"Ele usou a técnica das cordas para cansar o oponente."
थकाने की रणनीति
Transliteration: thakane ki ran-ni-ti
"मुक्केबाज़ ने प्रतिद्वंद्वी को थकाने की रणनीति का इस्तेमाल किया।"
疲劳战术
Transliteration: pí láo zhàn shù
"他在比赛中使用了疲劳战术来消耗对手。"
로프어도프 전술
Transliteration: rope-eo-dopeu jeonsul
"그 선수는 영리하게 로프어도프 전술을 구사했다."
ロープ・ア・ドープ
Transliteration: rōpu a dōpu
"彼はロープ・ア・ドープの戦術で相手を疲れさせた。"
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