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

Chops, chops and more chops knocked Uso down and even through the ropes and out of the ring. —Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 20 Apr. 2025

But if Trump’s DOJ switches positions, Navarro’s executive privilege claims might be bound for the Supreme Court and his conviction on the ropes. —Ella Lee, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025

While patrons are free to wear shorts, beyond the ropes where players and coaches can be, full-length pants are required. —Paulina Dedaj, FOXNews.com, 9 Apr. 2025

Read the full Sagittarius Daily Horoscope Capricorn (December 21 - January 19) Showing someone the ropes? —Usa Today, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2025

Rhymes for the ropes

• antelopes
• biotopes
• cantaloupes
• envelopes
• epitopes
• gyroscopes
• horoscopes
• isotopes
• microscopes
• telescopes
• copes
• gropes