show the ropes
Explain the fundamentals
To show someone the ropes is to teach them how things work in a new job, activity, or environment—the practical knowledge needed to function effectively.
The phrase comes from sailing, where learning to handle the ship's rigging was essential for new sailors.
My first week, the senior analyst showed me the ropes.
Someone who knows the ropes has already acquired this working knowledge.
- teachImpart skills or knowledge
- demonstrateShow or prove something
- explainMake something understood
- orientAlign to surroundings
- guideLeader or instruction book
learn · coach · hands-on training · walk through · familiarize · shadow · instruct · onboard · first day · educate · step-by-step · ins and outs · mentor · induct · apprentice · take under wing · initiate · edify
- learning termstraining, basics, fundamentals, foundation, groundwork
- Nautical Idiomsbatten down the hatches, all hands on deck, smooth sailing, three sheets to the wind, in the same boat
- Leadership idiomslead by example, take the reins, at the helm, call the shots, take charge
- trainingtraining, basic training, training session, employee training, apprenticeships
show the ropessink or swim
Succeed alone or fail
throw to the wolves · abandon · leave in the lurch · hang out to dry · leave high and dry
show, rope, shower, showing, showy, ropes, shows, roped, showed