Definition, synonyms and related words
plural of rope
"The sailor carefully untangled the ropes that had become knotted around the mast."
Third-person singular simple present indicative form of rope
"The mechanic ropes the loose cable back into its clip before starting the engine."
In plain English: To rope something means to tie it up with a strong cord so it cannot move away.
"The climbers roped themselves together before descending the steep cliff face."
The phrase "knows the ropes" began as a literal description for sailors who were only familiar with a ship's main lines, often marking them as inexperienced when noted on their discharge papers. Over time, this nautical term shifted to its current figurative meaning of understanding how any system or organization works.