rope (redirected from rope up)

*ropes

Fig. knowledge of how to do something; how to work something. (*Typically: know ~; learn ~; show someone ~; teach someone ~.) I'll be able to do my job very well when I know the ropes. John is very slow to learn the ropes.

at the end of one's rope and at the end of one's tether

Fig. at the limits of one's endurance. I'm at the end of my rope! I just can't go on this way! These kids are driving me out of my mind. I'm at the end of my tether.

See also: end

Give someone enough rope and he'll hang himself

. Prov. If you give someone that you suspect of bad behavior the freedom to behave badly, eventually he or she will be caught and punished. Jill: I think Matilda's been stealing things out of my desk. Should I tell the boss? Jane: No; give her enough rope and she'll hang herself. One of these days she'll steal something important, the boss will find out for himself, and he'll fire her.

See also: and, enough, give, hang, himself

rope someone into something and rope someone in

Fig. to cause someone to get involved in some project. She's always trying to rope me into her club. Let's rope in someone to help with cleaning up.

rope someone into doing something

Fig. to persuade or trick someone into doing something. I don't know who roped me into doing this, but I don't want to do it. See if you can rope somebody into taking this to the post office.

See also: doing

rope someone or an animal up

to tie someone or an animal up with a rope. Rope this guy up tight so he won't get away. The cowboy roped up the steer.

See also: animal, up

rope something off

to isolate something with a rope barrier. The police roped the scene of the accident off. The police roped off the scene of the accident.

rope something together

to tie or bind up a thing or things with rope. Rope this carton together and put it in the trunk of the car. Rope together these two packages and take them to the truck.

See also: together

skip rope

to jump over an arc of rope that is swung beneath one's feet then over one's head, repeatedly. The children skipped rope on the playground. The boxer skipped rope while training.

See also: skip

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be at the end of your tether  (British, American & Australian) also be at the end of your rope (American)

to be so tired, worried, or annoyed by something that you feel unable to deal with it any more

Usage notes: An animal which is tied up by a rope cannot reach the grass which is further away than the end of the rope and becomes hungry and unhappy.

After a day with four screaming kids I'm at the end of my tether. He's out of work, hanging around the house all day and at the end of his rope. (British, American & Australian)

See also: end, tether

be money for old rope  (British informal) also be money for jam (British informal)

if a job is money for old rope, it is an easy way of earning money Babysitting is money for old rope if the children go to sleep early. Most people think being a professional footballer is money for jam.

See also: money, old

be on the ropes  (mainly American)

to be doing badly and likely to fail His political career is on the ropes.

give somebody enough rope (to hang themselves)

to allow someone to do what they want to, knowing that they will probably fail or get into trouble I let him speak on, knowing that he would offend the director, and gave him just enough rope.

See Go piss up a rope!

See also: enough, give

Go piss up a rope!  (American taboo)

a very impolite way of telling someone to go away Oh go piss up a rope! I'm sick of your complaining.

See also: piss, up

show somebody the ropes

to explain to someone how to do a job or activity The new secretary started today so I spent most of the morning showing her the ropes.

See also: show

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learn the ropes

to understand how to do a particular job or activity It'll take some time for the new receptionist to learn the ropes.

Usage notes: sometimes used in the forms know the ropes (to understand how something is done) and show someone the ropes or teach someone the ropes (to teach someone how something is done): You'd better find someone to show you the ropes if you're going to fix the car yourself.

See also: learn

on the ropes

doing badly and likely to fail His political career is on the ropes.

Etymology: from the idea of a weakened prize fighter who leans against the ropes that surround the boxing ring

rope in somebody/something also rope somebody/something in

to persuade a person or group to do something They're running ads that they hope will rope in the undecided voters. Once they're interested in the product, we try to rope them in and sell it to them.

Usage notes: also used in the form rope someone into doing something: He roped me into helping him clean up the yard.

show somebody the ropes See: learn the ropes

See also: show