the ropes
plural noun
1
: the special way things are done at a particular place or in a particular activity
The veteran cop showed the rookie the ropes.
It will take a few weeks for new employees to learn the ropes.
someone who knows the ropes
2
: a fence made of rope that encloses a boxing or wrestling ring
The boxer was pushed back against the ropes.
Examples of the ropes in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Not in the classroom, but from the hunters who trust me and other veteran hunters to show them the ropes.
—
Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
The younger actor is still learning the ropes of Hollywood — and, indeed, nearly had his own reason to begrudge Netflix.
—Ramin Setoodeh, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024
But while that approach has brought him a stunning comeback in politics, putting him on the cusp of a second term as president, his original business — New York real estate — is on the ropes.
—Paula Aceves, Curbed, 31 Oct. 2024
Narasimhan spent a few months learning the ropes from Schultz before taking the baton.
—Paulina Likos, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for the ropes 
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Natalie Krebs, Outdoor Life, 14 Nov. 2024
The younger actor is still learning the ropes of Hollywood — and, indeed, nearly had his own reason to begrudge Netflix.
—Ramin Setoodeh, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024
But while that approach has brought him a stunning comeback in politics, putting him on the cusp of a second term as president, his original business — New York real estate — is on the ropes.
—Paula Aceves, Curbed, 31 Oct. 2024
Narasimhan spent a few months learning the ropes from Schultz before taking the baton.
—Paulina Likos, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for the ropes
Dictionary Entries Near the ropes
Cite this Entry
“The ropes.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20ropes. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
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