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

"The catch, I thought it was out on first look," Knight, who walked towards the boundary rope, told BBC Sport.

Read more on BBC

A friend, now deceased, showed me this lake years ago because it used to have a world-class rope swing.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He had finished the climb and was hauling up equipment when he likely rappelled off the end of his rope, Dylan said.

Read more on BBC

For almost all of his 16 months in captivity he says he was tied up - first with ropes to his wrists and ankles, then with iron chains.

Read more on BBC

So Miller, still attached to his rope, went back down to fix the problem, Evans said.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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