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
According to a source cited by TC of the insider X account WrestleVotes, LeRae has recently been learning the ropes of match production within WWE.
—
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
For the first time this season, Charlotte (1-7, 0-5 American) held a second-half lead against an FBS opponent, putting the American Conference championship-hopeful Mean Green on the ropes with an unexpected offensive explosion.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2025
Plus, the ropes course and a pig race ride are returning for 2025.
—Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 23 Oct. 2025
My partner’s mum had a sewing machine and generously showed me the ropes.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for the ropes
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 27 Oct. 2025
For the first time this season, Charlotte (1-7, 0-5 American) held a second-half lead against an FBS opponent, putting the American Conference championship-hopeful Mean Green on the ropes with an unexpected offensive explosion.
—Hunter Bailey, Charlotte Observer, 25 Oct. 2025
Plus, the ropes course and a pig race ride are returning for 2025.
—Meredith G. White, AZCentral.com, 23 Oct. 2025
My partner’s mum had a sewing machine and generously showed me the ropes.
—Literary Hub, 22 Oct. 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 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share