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
The younger actor is still learning the ropes of Hollywood — and, indeed, nearly had his own reason to begrudge Netflix.
—
Ramin Setoodeh, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024
But while that approach has brought him a stunning comeback in politics, putting him on the cusp of a second term as president, his original business — New York real estate — is on the ropes.
—Paula Aceves, Curbed, 31 Oct. 2024
Narasimhan spent a few months learning the ropes from Schultz before taking the baton.
—Paulina Likos, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2024
Wade Barrett pointed out how The Bloodline was allowing Jey to stand on the ropes and yeet with no consequence.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for the ropes 
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Ramin Setoodeh, Variety, 4 Nov. 2024
But while that approach has brought him a stunning comeback in politics, putting him on the cusp of a second term as president, his original business — New York real estate — is on the ropes.
—Paula Aceves, Curbed, 31 Oct. 2024
Narasimhan spent a few months learning the ropes from Schultz before taking the baton.
—Paulina Likos, CNBC, 19 Oct. 2024
Wade Barrett pointed out how The Bloodline was allowing Jey to stand on the ropes and yeet with no consequence.
—Alfred Konuwa, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for the ropes
Dictionary Entries Near the ropes
Cite this Entry
“The ropes.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/the%20ropes. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.
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