Example: It takes time to know the ropes at a new job.
Definition
"To know the ropes" means to be familiar with the details, procedures, or skills required to perform a particular task or job effectively. It implies having enough experience and knowledge to handle responsibilities confidently and competently.
Translations
saber cómo funciona
de kneepjes kennen
saber com funciona
connaître les ficelles
die Abläufe kennen
Etymology
The phrase "to know the ropes" originates from sailing, where sailors needed to understand the complex arrangement of ropes used to control sails. Knowing the ropes was essential for managing a ship's rigging properly. Over time, this expression came to mean being well acquainted with any system or process.
Learn to use this expression actively
"To know the ropes" appears in the Vocaplus list "English - General - Idioms and Proverbs - (C2) - set 1", containing 106 commonly used expressions.
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