roper
Twirls the loop
A roper is someone who uses a rope professionally—especially a cowboy skilled at lassoing cattle: The roper caught the calf on the first throw.
In rodeo, ropers compete in events like calf roping and team roping.
The term extends to anyone who ropes others in figuratively—a carnival roper draws customers to a booth, and con artists use ropers to lure marks into scams.
Mounted cattle herder
- lassoLooped rope for catching
- calfJuvenile cow or leg part
- steerDirect movement or castrated bull
- cattleDomesticated bovines kept commercially
arena · competition · chaps · spurs · dally · catch · loop · throw
cowboy
Mounted cattle herder
cattle · arena · competition · chaps · spurs · dally · catch · loop · throw · wrist
belay
Anchor a rope
rappel · ascend · descend · pitch · lead · secure · knot · vertical · toprope · mountaineer
cordage
Ropes and twines collectively
knot · weave · strand · hemp · sisal · jute · rigging · maritime · ropewalk · fiber
- craftsmenblacksmith, carpenter, cobbler, mason, weaver
- livestock workerscowboy, rancher, cattleman, cowherd, cowhand
- equestriansrider, jockeys, horseman, horsewoman, show jumpers
- rodeo performersbull rider, bronc rider, bareback rider, barrel racer, bulldogger
- street consshell game, three card monte, three-card monte, thimblerig, cups and balls
- conscon, scam, swindle, grift, hustle
roperbronc rider
Rodeo bucking horse athlete
bull rider · bareback rider · bronc buster · barrel racer · bulldogger
- jump ropeCord swung underfoot
- learn the ropesAcquire essential working knowledge
- roped inPersuaded to participate
- show the ropesTeach newcomers how things work
- jumping ropeSwung cord for leaping
- learning the ropesGaining initial competence