mettere alle corde

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Italian

Etymology

Literally, to put to the ropes.

Verb

méttere alle corde (first-person singular present métto alle corde, first-person singular past historic mìsi alle corde, past participle mésso alle corde, auxiliary avére)

  1. (boxing) to put (an opponent) in a difficult defensive crouch
    il boxer ha messo lo sfidante alle corde
    the boxer put the challenger in a difficult defensive crouch
  2. (figurative, by extension) to attack very aggressively, so as to squash any chance for countermoves and force (an adversary) to the defensive
  3. (figurative) to overwhelm someone with questions during a cross-examination
    il procuratore l'ha messo alle corde
    the prosecutor overwhelmed him (with questions)