rope-a-dope

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A technique in which the boxer assumes a defensive stance against the ropes and absorbs…

   A technique in which the boxer assumes a defensive stance against the ropes and absorbs an opponent's blows, hoping to exploit eventual tiredness or a mistake.

   • He sounded like a retired boxer who'd specialized in the rope-a-dope.
   • I went into my own version of Ali's rope-a-dope, ducking as many of the heavy blows as I could, and waiting for some kind of idea to come to me.
2. 2

   Any strategy where an apparently losing position is assumed in the hope of eventual…

   Any strategy where an apparently losing position is assumed in the hope of eventual victory.

   • […] process that in recent years has degenerated, sadly, into one long scorched-earth campaign filled with partisan rancor and legislative rope-a-dope.
   • Maybe, I suggested, it was the old rope-a-dope to lower expectations, but that was tougher for him than it had been in 2000: He was now the president.
3. 3

   To exhaust someone by stringing them along.

   • Willis rope-a-doped us all night.

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