rope-a-dope

• 拳击战术，拳手故意靠在围绳上装作被打得毫无还手之力，任由对手猛攻，直到对手体力耗尽后再发起反击。也泛指先示弱消耗对手、再伺机反攻的策略。

A boxing tactic in which a fighter pretends to be trapped against the ropes, allowing the opponent to throw punches until they become exhausted, then counterattacking.

1. Boxing tacticC1informalsport

   A defensive boxing strategy where a fighter leans against the ropes, covering up to absorb punches, allowing the opponent to tire before launching a counterattack.

   绳圈防守战术

   • Ali famously used the rope-a-dope against Foreman in the Rumble in the Jungle.
   • The boxer employed a rope-a-dope strategy to conserve his energy.
   • His rope-a-dope tactic frustrated the aggressive opponent.

2. Strategic patienceC1informal

   A broader strategy of appearing passive or weak to exhaust an opponent's resources or patience before striking back.

   战略耐心

   • In the negotiation, he played rope-a-dope, letting the other side make all the demands first.
   • The startup used a rope-a-dope approach, letting competitors overspend before launching their product.
   • She mastered the rope-a-dope in debates, letting her opponent tire themselves out.

   同义词waiting game