Quote:
Originally Posted by afc wimbledon
the term 'on the ropes' is a reference to a cheap form of accomadation from 150 years ago when people slept standing upright held in place by a rope,.
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Off topic, but I'm pretty sure this idiom comes from boxing, when your opponent has the advantage and has you against the ropes of the boxing ring - hence you are in a desperate situation.
I've never heard the etymology of this as having anything to do with being so poor that you have to sleep standing up.