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
The Presidents’ Trophy winners are officially on the ropes.
—
Sam Settleman, New York Times, 3 May 2025
So, is democracy on the ropes in the aftermath of post-Cold War American hegemony?
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 1 May 2025
Related article America’s biggest exporter was already on the ropes.
—Mike Valerio, CNN Money, 30 Apr. 2025
Nate puts Harry and Nic on anchoring duty so that Harry can show Nic the ropes.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the ropes
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Sam Settleman, New York Times, 3 May 2025
So, is democracy on the ropes in the aftermath of post-Cold War American hegemony?
—Matthew Wills, JSTOR Daily, 1 May 2025
Related article America’s biggest exporter was already on the ropes.
—Mike Valerio, CNN Money, 30 Apr. 2025
Nate puts Harry and Nic on anchoring duty so that Harry can show Nic the ropes.
—Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the ropes
Cite this Entry
“The ropes.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20ropes. Accessed 12 May. 2025.
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