It was October 30, 1974, and the event was billed as “The Rumble in the Jungle.” Heavyweight boxing champion George Foreman defended his crown in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo) against challenger Muhammad Ali.

It was during this legendary fight that Ali first implemented his rope-a-dope strategy. Early in the fight, Ali put his back to the ropes and feigned fatigue. For most of the 8 rounds, Ali allowed himself to be pushed backwards where he covered up his head and let Foreman pummel his body. Ali successfully absorbed or deflected many of the hundreds of powerful shots that Foreman hurled at him. Then, during the 8th round, once Foreman was exhausted from the number of powerful hits he had thrown, Ali sprang back to life. Using a flurry of punishing blows, Ali attacked Foreman, knocking him to the canvas. Foreman was saved by the bell sounding the end of the round, but the referee stepped in to stop the fight since it was obvious that Foreman was too exhausted to continue without risking serious injury.

Ali and the press dubbed this strategy rope-a-dope. Ali pulled Foreman in by feigning weakness when in reality Ali was merely waiting for his the right moment to make a counter assault.

In the event that you don’t have a title match coming up in the near future, how can you use rope-a-dope in your daily life? If you are in a relationship with someone who is combative and constantly attacks you, rope-a-dope might be the answer. Think of these situations:

• A spouse or significant other who thinks you can benefit from the wisdom of his or her perpetual criticism…
• A coworker or colleague who likes to step in to take credit for your work…or who likes to criticize your work to others…
• A child who likes to argue every point in an attempt to get his or her own way…

Rope-a-dope. Don’t allow yourself to play that game or to return unkindness with more unkindness. Don’t get sucked in to defend yourself too adamantly, and certainly don’t go on the offensive. Just like your parents probably told you when a sibling teased you in your youth, “Don’t react. He’ll stop teasing you when he sees that you don’t let it get to you.” Play a waiting game. Your “opponent” will tire eventually. And you may never have to land a punch to win.

Most acts of bullying and relentless criticism cannot be won by reason or fighting back. But battles can be won by waiting things out and practicing strategic ignoring. Let a fool rush in; but you keep your head. In the end, you will be the one still standing while the other person is left looking stupid, tired, and petty.