rəup n. & v. --n. 1 a
stout cord made by twisting
together strands of
hemp,
sisal,
flax,
cotton,
nylon,
wire, or
similar material. b a
piece of
this. c US a
lasso. 2 (foll. by of) a
quantity of onions,
ova, or pearls
strung together. 3 (in
pl., prec. by the) a
the conditions in
some sphere of
action (know the ropes;
show a
person the ropes). b the ropes enclosing a boxingor wrestling-ring or cricket ground. 4 (prec. by the) a a
halter for hanging a person. b
execution by hanging. --v. 1 tr.
fasten,
secure, or
catch with rope. 2 tr. (usu. foll. by
off, in)
enclose (a space) with rope. 3 Mountaineering a tr.
connect (a party) with a rope;
attach (a person) to a rope. b (absol.) put on a rope. c intr. (foll. by down, up)
climb down or up using a rope. øgive a person
plenty of rope (or
enough rope to
hang himself or herself)
give a person enough
freedom of action to
bring about his or
her own downfall. on the rope Mountaineering roped together. on the ropes 1
Boxing forced
against the ropes by the opponent's
attack. 2
near defeat. rope in
persuade to
take part. rope
into persuade to take part in (was roped into
doing the washing-up). rope-ladder
two long ropes
connected by
short crosspieces, used as a
ladder. rope-moulding a
moulding cut spirally in
imitation of rope-strands. rope of
sand delusive security. rope's
end hist. a short piece of rope used to
flog (formerly,
esp. a sailor) with. rope-walk a long piece of ground
where ropes are made. rope-walker a performer on a
tightrope. rope-walking the action of performing on a tightrope. rope-yard a rope-making
establishment. rope-yarn 1 material obtained by unpicking rope-strands, or used for
making them. 2 a piece of this. 3 a mere
trifle. [OE
rap f. Gmc]
