Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

learn the ropes

/ˈlɝn ðə ˈɹoʊps/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.65 in modern English

Syllables: learn the ropes
IPA: /ˈlɝn ðə ˈɹoʊps/

18

Scrabble Score

13

Letters

1

Syllables

10

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To learn the basics or master introductory knowledge.

Informal

verb

To learn some skill requiring specialist knowledge.

Informal

Example Sentences

"Work slowly and cautiously until you have learned the ropes."
"When he [Abraham Lincoln] became President he was without any considerable experience in public affairs; nor was he much versed in history, whose lessons would have been most valuable. As he became more familiar with the place, his facility evidently increased. He had "learned the ropes," so he said."
"He thinks he needs no education for that work; it is just as natural to him as it is to eat and drink; and he is ready at once to undertake the management of the largest retail house in town, only needing to be shown a day or two, "till he learns the ropes.""
"“[...] I am very ignorant in regard to your rules and usages here, but undoubtedly one can soon learn all the particulars.” / “O, yes,” rejoined Derby, with a smile, “one can soon ‘learn the ropes.’ [...]”"
"Phil had "learned the ropes," so he showed us the principal points of interest aboard ship."
"Evidently they know that failure to learn the ropes may preclude learning anything else. If the intern does not learn whom to consult and how to secure his help, he will not learn what the consulting physician can teach him about medicine."

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.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈlɝn ðə ˈɹoʊps/
British English: /ˈlɜːn ðə ˈɹəʊps/

Usage

Informal

Inflected Forms

learns the ropes (present, singular) learning the ropes (participle, present) learned the ropes (participle, past) learned the ropes (past) learnt the ropes (participle, past) learnt the ropes (past)

Phrases

know the ropes show someone the ropes show the ropes cut one's teeth get the hang of trick of the trade

Frequently Paired Words

know the ropes show someone the ropes show the ropes cut one's teeth get the hang of trick of the trade

Questions

How do you pronounce learn the ropes?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈlɝn ðə ˈɹoʊps/.
What does learn the ropes mean?: To learn the basics or master introductory knowledge.
Where does learn the ropes come from?: 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.

How to pronounce learn the ropes

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “learn the ropes”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈlɝn ðə ˈɹoʊps/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
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