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the ropes

plural noun

Definition of the ropes

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.

Word by Word Definitions

rope play ropes

  1. : a large stout cord of strands of fibers or wire twisted or braided together

  2. : a long slender strip of material used as rope

  3. : a hangman's noose

  1. : to bind, fasten, or tie with a rope or cord

  2. : to partition, separate, or divide by a rope

  3. : lasso

See the full definition of rope

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