English edit

Etymology edit

In the sense of skills, a now figurative use that originally referred to literal ropes. The phrase “he knows the ropes” written on a seaman’s discharge meant that he was inexperienced and only familiar with a ship’s principal ropes.[1]

Pronunciation edit

Noun edit

ropes

  1. plural of rope
  2. (in the plural, with the) Basic skills of a job.
    show the ropes, learn the ropes

Verb edit

ropes

  1. third-person singular simple present indicative of rope

References edit

  1. ^ William L. Brackin (July 1991), “Military Courtesy”, in Naval Orientation (NAVEDTRA; 12966), Washington, D.C.: Naval Education and Training Program Management Support Activity; United States Government Printing Office, →OCLC, page 7-19.

Anagrams edit

Asturian edit

Noun edit

ropes

  1. plural of ropa

Middle English edit

Noun edit

ropes

  1. plural of rop (rope)