Choose the option that best describes the meaning of the idiom underlined.

The lockdown due to Covid has financially put many multinational companies on the ropes.

Close to defeat or giving up

The correct answer is Option (3) → Close to defeat or giving up

In this context, "on the ropes" suggests that the lockdown due to Covid has financially strained many multinational companies and they are facing difficulties or challenges, possibly to the point of being close to defeat or giving up.

The idiom "on the ropes" comes from boxing, where a boxer who is leaning against the ropes is weak and vulnerable, close to being knocked out.In the context of the sentence, "financially put many multinational companies on the ropes" means the lockdown has caused financial strain, putting these companies in a difficult position, close to failing.