High-ropes

TO BE ON THE HIGH ROPES, verb. phr. (common).—To be angry or excited. Also to put on airs; to stand on one’s dignity; to ride the HIGH-HORSE (q.v.).

  1811.  GROSE and CLARKE, Lexicon Balatronicum, s.v. TO BE ON THE HIGH ROPES, to be in a passion.

  1859.  G. W. MATSELL, Vocabulum; or, The Rogue’s Lexicon, s.v.

  1866.  YATES, Land at Last, ii. He’s ON THE HIGH ROPES, is Master Charley! Some of you fellows have been lending him half a-crown, or that fool Caniche has bought one of his pictures for seven-and-six!