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Soheil1 Posted 12 years ago
Vocabulary

Ropes

Hi
In
There I learned the ropes
does 'ropes' mean 'intricacies'? Can they be used interchangeably?

Thanks in advance
  

Top answer

It's said that this expression is of nautical origin, and that the word "ropes" was originally literal. In the modern set expression, the word doesn't really have an extractable individual meaning. "learn the ropes" just means "learn how to do a job or activity"; it doesn't specifically refer to intricacies.

— GPY

  • It's said that this expression is of nautical origin, and that the word "ropes" was originally literal.
  • In the modern set expression, the word doesn't really have an extractable individual meaning.
  • "learn the ropes" just means "learn how to do a job or activity"; it doesn't specifically refer to intricacies.
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3 Answers
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It's said that this expression is of nautical origin, and that the word "ropes" was originally literal. In the modern set expression, the word doesn't really have an extractable individual meaning. "learn the ropes" just means "learn how to do a job or activity"; it doesn't specifically refer to intricacies.
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This word is used today almost exclusively in the expression: "know the ropes," which means "to be experienced in something." For example: "You'll be okay in that new job. You've worked in the field for 20 yrs., so you know the ropes."
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AnonymousThis word is used today almost exclusively in the expression: "know the ropes,"
Hardly...
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