rope

[rohp]

noun

1. 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.

2. a lasso.

3. ropes,

   1. the cords used to enclose a prize ring or other space.

   2. Informal.,  the operations of a business or the details of any undertaking.

      The new employee didn't take long to learn the ropes.

4. a hangman's noose, halter, or cord.

5. the sentence or punishment of death by hanging.

6. a quantity of material or a number of things twisted or strung together in the form of a cord.

   a rope of tobacco.

7. a stringy, viscid, or glutinous formation in a liquid.

   ropes of slime.

verb (used with object)

roped, roping 

1. to tie, bind, or fasten with a rope.

2. to enclose, partition, or mark off with a rope or ropes (often followed byoff ).

3. to catch with a lasso; lasso.

4. Nautical.,  to reinforce (a sail or awning) with a boltrope.

verb (used without object)

roped, roping 

1. to be drawn out into a filament of thread; become ropy.

verb phrase

1. rope in,  to lure or entice, especially by employing deception.

   The swindler had roped in a number of gullible persons.

rope

/ rəʊp /

noun

1. 1. a fairly thick cord made of twisted and intertwined hemp or other fibres or of wire or other strong material

   2. ( as modifier )

      a rope bridge

      a rope ladder

2. a row of objects fastened or united to form a line

   a rope of pearls

   a rope of onions

3. a quantity of material twisted or wound in the form of a cord

4. anything in the form of a filament or strand, esp something viscous or glutinous

   a rope of slime

5. 1. a rope, noose, or halter used for hanging

   2. death by hanging, strangling, etc

6. to allow someone to accomplish his own downfall by his own foolish acts

7. 1. to have a thorough understanding of a particular sphere of activity

   2. to be experienced in the ways of the world

8. 1. boxing driven against the ropes enclosing the ring by an opponent's attack

   2. in a defenceless or hopeless position

verb

1. (tr) to bind or fasten with or as if with a rope

2. to enclose or divide by means of a rope

3. (intr) to become extended in a long filament or thread

4. mountaineering to tie (climbers) together with a rope

Other Word Forms

• roper noun
• ropelike adjective
• unroped adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rope¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English noun rop(e), rap(e), Old English rāp; cognate with Dutch reep, German Reif; verb derivative of the noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rope¹

Old English rāp ; related to Old Saxon rēp , Old High German reif

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. give someone enough rope, to allow a person complete freedom to continue their misdeeds in hope that retribution will follow.

2. 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.

3. on the ropes,

   1. Boxing. in a defenseless position, as leaning against the ropes to keep from falling.

   2. 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.

More idioms and phrases containing rope

• (show someone) know the ropes
• end of one's rope
• enough rope
• on the ropes

Example Sentences

Investigators also found knives, a stun gun, body armor, duct tape and rope in his truck.

From Los Angeles Times

When eaglets take flight from their nest for the first time, they often return for the next few days or weeks as they learn the ropes, Steers said in an interview.

From Los Angeles Times

Watkins descended the slope with a rope and harness to find the man, who had cut his nose — and forgot to zip his pants back up — but was otherwise fine.

From Los Angeles Times

She needed someone to put teddy bears into gift bags for a charity visit, so she roped in her husband.

From Los Angeles Times

"One of the boats with the military personnel reached the seashore and tied a long rope to a tree. That rope was then brought to the boats," Mr Noor said.

From BBC

Related Words

• cable 
• strand 
• string 
• tape 
• thread 
• twine