learn the ropes

learn the ropes

To learn or understand the basic details of how to do or perform a job, task, or activity. We have a few high-priority projects we need to get done now, so you'll need to learn the ropes on your own. This class is intense! They don't even give you a chance to learn the ropes before they throw an exam at you.
See also: learn, rope
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

learn the ropes

COMMON If you learn the ropes, you learn how to do a particular job or task. He tried hiring more salesmen to push the products, but they took too much time to learn the ropes. By the time he was 34, he had learnt the ropes of the jewellery trade. Note: You can also say that someone knows the ropes when they know how a particular job or task should be done. He'd been in the business for over ten years so he knew the ropes. Note: The origin of this expression is from sailing ships, where the sailors had to get to know the complicated system of ropes which made up the rigging.
See also: learn, rope
Collins COBUILD Idioms Dictionary, 3rd ed.

show somebody/learn/know the ˈropes

(informal) explain to somebody/learn/know how to do a particular job, task, etc. correctly: It will take me a couple of weeks to learn the ropes but after that I should be fine. Mrs Brian will show you the ropes.This expression refers to a sailor learning the different ropes for the sails of a ship.
See also: know, learn, rope, show, somebody
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary
See also:
  • be shown the ropes
  • do a good job
  • do a good, bad, etc. job
  • do a bad job
  • eat at the Y
  • bell the cat, who will
  • dive a muff
  • bell the cat
  • go down on (one)
  • go down on someone
References in periodicals archive
Senate minority leader Franklin Drilon on Thursday urged incoming neophyte senators to first learn the ropes of lawmaking.
Drilon advises the neophytes to 'learn the ropes' of lawmaking first
Adapted from the book by Gruffalo creators Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler, this tells of an enthusiastic but accident-prone creature trying to learn the ropes at dragon school.
Clumsy Zog has me agog
People wanting to enter the profession would get paid to learn the ropes."
An Education
Tiny tots, teens and everyone inbetween are often invited to the popular pizza place to learn the ropes and take home an all-important certificate.
A pizza the action; SLICE OF LIFE Success on a plate for kids
Jindal Global University (JGU) has signed a MoU with New Zealand's University of Otago to opportune its students to learn the ropes of international business at the Otago Master of International Business (MIntBus) and Master of Marketing Course (MMart).
Jindal University, University of Otago facilitate students with dual masters degree
Her father played judo for Aichi district and he helped his only child Mariya learn the ropes.
Takahashi finally gets to be No. 1
In this first episode, new recruit Conor (Kevin Mains) continues to learn the ropes, but his mum isn't particularly happy about his career.
CHOICE [...]
"Cheryl is already pretty businesssavvy but she's really keen to learn the ropes of what her husband does."
Cheryl 'to enroll on business course'
They will learn the ropes of working with North Tyneside Homes whilst also working towards a customer service NVQ at North Tyneside Enterprise and Skills Centre.
Housing training for lucky foursome
"All academy recruits will be placed on our extensive training programme to learn the ropes, and gain all of the skills required to be a success within the recruitment industry."
Recruitment academy
So he is willing to learn the ropes in League One or League Two first.
DI CANIO: I WILL BOSS HAMMERS; Football Spy
A talented new hire can quickly learn the ropes. More to the point, Worcester must work to attract the best executive managers, as soon as possible, where there's an opening.
Commute the rule; City doesn't need residency requirement
Learn the ropes by taking turns skippering the comfortable eight-person vessel.
Cruise news
A spokesperson said: "The aim is to work with retailers interested in the UK, help them establish a presence and learn the ropes of trading in the UK.
Investment from Land Securities
Students also learn the ropes the old-fashioned way: by carrying model planes around the room and landing them at a plywood airport.
Directing traffic (at 35,000 feet)