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
Insults were hurled at McIlroy with such ferocity that his playing partner Shane Lowry had to be held back from going over the ropes to get at the fans.
—
Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
The Crimson Tide entered the fourth quarter clinging onto a three-point lead but was on the ropes early in the frame when the Bulldogs made their way down to the Alabama 8-yard line and needed just one yard on fourth down to keep what looked like would be a scoring drive alive.
—The Athletic Cfb Staff, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
Harvey is still learning the ropes.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
From the earliest days of learning the ropes of homebuilding to leading ambitious mixed-use developments, Clarke has built a career that blends creativity, financial expertise, and strategic vision.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the ropes
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Kyle Feldscher, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2025
The Crimson Tide entered the fourth quarter clinging onto a three-point lead but was on the ropes early in the frame when the Bulldogs made their way down to the Alabama 8-yard line and needed just one yard on fourth down to keep what looked like would be a scoring drive alive.
—The Athletic Cfb Staff, New York Times, 28 Sep. 2025
Harvey is still learning the ropes.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 26 Sep. 2025
From the earliest days of learning the ropes of homebuilding to leading ambitious mixed-use developments, Clarke has built a career that blends creativity, financial expertise, and strategic vision.
—Lyssanoel Frater, USA Today, 25 Sep. 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 4 Oct. 2025.
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