show the ropes

English

Etymology

See learn the ropes.

Verb

show the ropes (third-person singular simple present shows the ropes, present participle showing the ropes, simple past showed the ropes, past participle shown the ropes)

  1. (informal, transitive or intransitive) To teach the basics of a skill.
    When I got there, Bill showed me the ropes
    Bill showed the ropes to the new guy.
    • 2011, Cruise of the Pintail‎, page 123:
      Mr. Danzinger sent other roomers for Fonville to show the ropes.
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