rope
a strong, thick line or cord, commonly one composed of twisted or braided strands of hemp, flax, or the like, or of wire or other material.
a lasso.
ropes,
the cords used to enclose a prize ring or other space.
Informal. the operations of a business or the details of any undertaking: The new employee didn't take long to learn the ropes.
a hangman's noose, halter, or cord.
the sentence or punishment of death by hanging.
a quantity of material or a number of things twisted or strung together in the form of a cord: a rope of tobacco.
a stringy, viscid, or glutinous formation in a liquid: ropes of slime.
to tie, bind, or fasten with a rope.
to enclose, partition, or mark off with a rope or ropes (often followed by off).
to catch with a lasso; lasso.
Nautical. to reinforce (a sail or awning) with a boltrope.
rope in, Informal. to lure or entice, especially by employing deception: The swindler had roped in a number of gullible persons.
Idioms about rope
at the end of one's rope, at the end of one's endurance or means; at the limit: With all her savings gone and bills piling up, she was at the end of her rope.
give someone enough rope, to allow a person complete freedom to continue their misdeeds in hope that retribution will follow.
on the ropes,
Boxing. in a defenseless position, as leaning against the ropes to keep from falling.
Informal. in a desperate or hopeless position; close to defeat or failure: By repeatedly undercutting his prices, his competitors soon had him on the ropes.
Origin of rope
1Other words from rope
- roper, noun
- ropelike, adjective
- un·roped, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for rope
/ (rəʊp) /
a fairly thick cord made of twisted and intertwined hemp or other fibres or of wire or other strong material
(as modifier): a rope bridge; a rope ladder
a row of objects fastened or united to form a line: a rope of pearls; a rope of onions
a quantity of material twisted or wound in the form of a cord
anything in the form of a filament or strand, esp something viscous or glutinous: a rope of slime
the rope
a rope, noose, or halter used for hanging
death by hanging, strangling, etc
give someone enough rope to hang himself to allow someone to accomplish his own downfall by his own foolish acts
know the ropes
to have a thorough understanding of a particular sphere of activity
to be experienced in the ways of the world
on the ropes
boxing driven against the ropes enclosing the ring by an opponent's attack
in a defenceless or hopeless position
(tr) to bind or fasten with or as if with a rope
(tr usually foll by off) to enclose or divide by means of a rope
(intr) to become extended in a long filament or thread
(when intr , foll by up) mountaineering to tie (climbers) together with a rope
Origin of rope
1- See also rope in
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with rope
In addition to the idiom beginning with rope
- rope in
also see:
- end of one's rope
- enough rope
- (show someone) know the ropes
- on the ropes
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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