learn the ropes
Master the basics
To learn the ropes is to become familiar with how something works—the procedures, customs, and expectations of a new job, organization, or activity.
The phrase comes from sailing, where new sailors had to master the complex system of ropes controlling a ship's sails.
It took me a few months to learn the ropes at the new firm.
Position relative to surroundings
- acclimationAdjusting to new conditions
- initiationFormal admission ceremony
- inductionFormal admission process
- familiarizationBecoming acquainted with something
getting started · settling in · new hire · newcomer · novice · beginner · newbie · rookie
orientation
Position relative to surroundings
- acclimationAdjusting to new conditions
- initiationFormal admission ceremony
- inductionFormal admission process
familiarization · getting started · settling in · new hire · newcomer · novice · beginner · newbie · rookie · greenhorn
mentorship
Guidance from experienced person
- trainingDeveloping abilities through practice
- internshipSupervised professional trial period
- shadowingFollowing to observe
hands-on · coaching · tutoring · guidance · instruction · practice · drill · workshop · mentoring · skill-building
- workjob, 9 to 5, jobs, labor, employee
- Nautical Idiomsbatten down the hatches, all hands on deck, smooth sailing, three sheets to the wind, in the same boat
- skill idiomscut the mustard, on the ball, sharp as a tack, jack of all trades, hit the ground running
- learning processbeginner stage, trial and error, orientation, onboarding, introduction
- learningclasses, instruction, studying, lesson, education
- adaptabilityadapt, flexibility, resilience, adaptability, pliability
learn the ropesknow the ropes
Understand how things work
lose one's touch · know like the back of one's hand · unlearn · deskill
learn, learning, learned, learner, ropes, learns, unlearned, learnt, unlearn