Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

show the ropes

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.66 in modern English

Syllables
show the ropes
IPA
23
Scrabble Score
12
Letters
1
Syllables
8
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To teach the basics of a skill.

Informal; Intransitive verb; Transitive verb

Example Sentences

Etymology

Usage

Inflected Forms

shows the ropes (present, singular) showing the ropes (participle, present) showed the ropes (past) shown the ropes (participle, past)

Phrases

Frequently Paired Words

Questions

What does show the ropes mean?
To teach the basics of a skill.
Where does show the ropes come from?
See learn the ropes.

How to pronounce show the ropes

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “show the ropes”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “show the ropes”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “show the ropes” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.