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

While students in the tech club have been working with the production side of performances for years, Wipf’s class was meant to supplement that work, give students an opportunity to learn the ropes of the equipment, and provide them a consistent time to meet. —Graham P. Johnson, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025

Drinks are currently half-off since baristas are still learning the ropes. —Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Feb. 2025

With two years of coaching under his belt, Bates is still learning the ropes of his new job, and that’s why getting the opportunity to coach at the Shrine Bowl is so helpful. —Mike Kaye, Charlotte Observer, 30 Jan. 2025

The pair followed the noise and found the teenager and his dog in the water and pulled them out to safety with the ropes, the release stated. —Escher Walcott, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025