know the ropes Definition

know
verb knew, known, knowing

tr & intr
1. To be aware of it; to be certain about it.

Thesaurus: perceive, discern, distinguish, experience, identify, intuit, ken, make out, realize, recognize.
Form: know something (usually)
Form: know of something
Form: know about something
2. To have learnt and remembered something.
3. To have an understanding or grasp of something.
4. To be familiar with someone or something.

Example: know her well
5. To be able to recognize or identify someone or something.
6. To be able to distinguish someone or something, or to tell them apart.

Example: wouldn't know him from Adam
intr
7. To have enough experience or training.

Example: knew not to question him further
8. To experience or be subject to something.

Example: has never known poverty
9. especially Bible., old use
To have sexual intercourse with someone.

Derivative: knowable
adj

Capable of being known, discovered, or understood.
Thesaurus: understandable, graspable, visible, distinct, obvious, plain.

Idiom: Heaven (God knows)

colloq
I have no idea.

Idiom: in the know

Having information not known to most people.
Thesaurus: aware, informed, educated, knowing, cognizant.

Initiated.

Idiom: I wouldn't know

I am not in a position to know.

Idiom: know all the answers

To be fully informed on everything, or to think one is.

Idiom: know a thing or two

colloq
To be pretty shrewd.

Idiom: know better than to do something

To be wiser, or better instructed, than to do it.

Idiom: know how many beans make five

To be sensible or aware; to have one's wits about one.

Idiom: know the ropes

To understand the detail or procedure.

Idiom: know what's what

To be shrewd, wise or hard to deceive.

Idiom: know which side one's bread is buttered on

To be fully aware of one's own best interests.

Idiom: let it be known

To reveal, especially indirectly.

Idiom: make oneself known

To introduce oneself.

Idiom: there's no knowing

It's impossible to predict.

Idiom: what do you know?

colloq
An expression of surprise.

Idiom: you never know

colloq
It's not impossible; perhaps.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon cnawan.

Phrasal Verb: be known as something

To be called it; to have it as one's name.

Phrasal Verb: know someone as or for something

To think of or have experience of them as (a specified thing).
Example: knew him as a kindly man

Phrasal Verb: know something backwards

To know it thoroughly.

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rope
noun

1a. Strong thick cord made by twisting fibres of hemp, wire or some other material together;
1b. A length of this.

Thesaurus: line, cord, cable, strand, string, thread.
2. A number of objects, especially pearls or onions, strung together.
3a. A hangman's noose;

Form: the rope
3b. Execution by this means.

Form: the rope
4. The cords that mark off a boxing or wrestling ring, or the boundary of a cricket ground.

Form: ropes
(Scots)
5. A clothes-line.

Example: hang the washing on the rope
(US)
6. A lasso.
7. A long glutinous strand of a viscous substance found especially in contaminated beer.


Example: a rope ladder
Example: rope-soles

verb roped, roping

1. To tie, fasten or bind with rope or as if with rope.

Thesaurus: catch, bind, fasten, tie, tether, hitch, pinion.
2. To enclose, separate or divide it with a rope.

Thesaurus: segregate, restrict, reserve, mark off.
Form: rope something in (usually)
Form: rope something off
3. mountaineering.
To tie (climbers) together with a rope for safety.
(chiefly N Amer)
4. To catch (an animal) with a rope; to lasso.
intr
5. Said of a viscous substance: to form into a rope.

Idiom: give someone (enough) rope (to hang themselves)

To allow them to bring about their own downfall as a result of their ill-considered or foolish actions, behaviour, etc.

Idiom: know the ropes

To have a thorough knowledge and experience of what needs to be done in a particular circumstance or for a particular job.

Idiom: on the ropes

Driven back against the ropes of a boxing ring.

In a desperate position.

Etymology: Anglo-Saxon rap.

Phrasal Verb: rope someone in

To persuade them to take part in some activity.

Phrasal Verb: rope up

Said of a group of climbers: to tie themselves together with a rope for safety.