roping

rope  (rp)

n.

1. A flexible heavy cord of tightly intertwined hemp or other fiber.

2. A string of items attached in one line by or as if by twisting or braiding: a rope of onions.

3. A sticky glutinous formation of stringy matter in a liquid.

4.

a. A cord with a noose at one end for hanging a person.

b. Execution or death by hanging: to die by the rope.

5. A lasso or lariat.

6. ropes Sports Several cords strung between poles to enclose a boxing or wrestling ring.

7. ropes Informal Specialized procedures or details: learn the ropes; know the ropes.

v. roped, rop·ing, ropes

v.tr.

1. To tie or fasten with or as if with rope.

2. To enclose, separate, or partition with or as if with a rope: rope off the scene of the crime.

3. To catch with a rope or lasso.

4. Informal To trick or deceive: An unscrupulous salesperson roped us into buying worthless property.

v.intr.

To become like a cord or rope.

Idioms:

on the ropes

1. Sports Knocked against the ropes that enclose a boxing ring.

2. On the verge of defeat or collapse; hopeless or powerless.

the end of (one's) rope

The limit of one's patience, endurance, or resources: After six months on strike, the workers were at the end of their rope.

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[Middle English, from Old English rp.]

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roper n.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

roping - capturing cattle or horses with a lasso calf roping - capturing a calf with a lasso and binding its feet steer roping - capturing a steer with a lasso toil, labor, labour - productive work (especially physical work done for wages); "his labor did not require a great deal of skill"