learn the ropes
verb/ˈlɜːn ðə ˈɹəʊps/UK/ˈlɝn ðə ˈɹoʊps/US
Etymology
Of nautical origin: in the past, the phrase “he knows the ropes” written on a seaman’s discharge meant that he was inexperienced and familiar only with a ship’s principal ropes.
Definitions
To learn the basics or master introductory knowledge.
- Work slowly and cautiously until you have learned the ropes.
To learn some skill requiring specialist knowledge.
- While it is unlikely that [Lonny] Baxter plays a significant role immediately, he will be able to learn the ropes of interior play from such veterans as [Dikembe] Mutumbo, Yao [Ming], and [Juwan] Howard.
- Yet for nearly ten years [Bill] Kenwright refused to speak to his nephew after Adam, who learned the ropes of theatre production from his uncle, decided to go it alone.
The neighborhood
- neighborknow the ropes
- neighborshow someone the ropes
- neighborshow the ropes
- neighborcut one's teeth
- neighborget the hang of
- neighbortrick of the trade
Vish — recursive loop
No curated loop yet for learn the ropes. Loops are being traced one word at a time while the ingestion pipeline matures.
sense glosses and etymology drawn from English Wiktionary · source · CC-BY-SA