rope
Pronunciation: (rōp), [key]
— n., v., roped, rop•ing.
—n.
- 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.
- a lasso.
- The new employee didn't take long to learn the ropes.
- the cords used to enclose a prize ring or other space.
- Informal.the operations of a business or the details of any undertaking:The new employee didn't take long to learn the ropes.
- a hangman's noose, halter, or cord.
- the sentence or punishment of death by hanging.
- a quantity of material or a number of things twisted or strung together in the form of a cord: a rope of tobacco.
- a stringy, viscid, or glutinous formation in a liquid: ropes of slime.
- 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.
- to allow a person complete freedom to continue his or her misdeeds in hope that retribution will follow.
- By repeatedly undercutting his prices, his competitors soon had him on the ropes.
- Boxing.in a defenseless position, as leaning against the ropes to keep from falling.
- 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.
—v.t.
- to tie, bind, or fasten with a rope.
- to enclose, partition, or mark off with a rope or ropes (often fol. by off).
- to catch with a lasso; lasso.
- to reinforce (a sail or awning) with a boltrope.
—v.i.
- to be drawn out into a filament of thread; become ropy.
- to lure or entice, esp. by employing deception: The swindler had roped in a number of gullible persons.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.