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.
                         
                
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  Merriam-Webster unabridged




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