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
Ripley dropped Iyo Sky on the top rope and Sky bounced dangerously off the ropes to the mat.
—
Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Ecosystems are already on the ropes, and now must contend with higher temperatures, the new invasive species these bring, and worsening droughts.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
Darrel Cole, a former Orlando Sentinel graphic designer who’s been driving for Mecum Auctions for 20 years, was tasked with showing me the ropes.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2025
Within a week, news broke about Texas and Oklahoma leaving for the SEC, putting the Big 12’s survival on the ropes again.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 10 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for the ropes
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025
Ecosystems are already on the ropes, and now must contend with higher temperatures, the new invasive species these bring, and worsening droughts.
—Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 July 2025
Darrel Cole, a former Orlando Sentinel graphic designer who’s been driving for Mecum Auctions for 20 years, was tasked with showing me the ropes.
—Patrick Connolly, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 July 2025
Within a week, news broke about Texas and Oklahoma leaving for the SEC, putting the Big 12’s survival on the ropes again.
—Chris Vannini, New York Times, 10 July 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 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share