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🪢 A thick cord 🤠 To catch 🚧 To tie or secure
to rope

to rope

13 5.0
To catch animals like cattle with a lasso
  • verb
  • /roʊp/
translation icon : atar con el lazo
  • During the rodeo, she roped a wild horse in seconds.
  • rope a steer
  • roping cattle

Examples

  • He learned how to rope cattle from his father on their ranch.

  • I roped a steer.

    Ideal Home (2018)

  • Have you ever roped a goat, Hollywood?

    Hacksaw Ridge (2016)

  • On the label of the can, we show a picture of a cowboy roping a cow.

    Fiction book (1998)

  • Some of their contests, like capturing and riding wild bucking horses and roping cattle and horses, did arise from utilitarian skills.

    Academic text (1994)

  • The cowboy expertly roped the calf before it could escape.

Synonyms

to lasso
vsto rope
5 4.9

To catch an animal by throwing a rope loop around it

uses a long line to catch animals, not only by throwing a loop

Antonyms

to release
∞ 1.8

To let someone or something go free from being held

to set free
218 2.7

To let a person or animal go after keeping them in a place where they could not leave

Idioms

at the end of one's rope
  • Informal
11 7.5

You are unable to deal with something because you have no patience or energy

to give someone enough rope
  • Informal
3 8.6

Let someone act freely until they make a mistake

money for old rope
  • Archaic
8.7

Easy pay you get with little or no work

to give enough rope
  • Informal
8.7

Allow someone freedom to show ability or make mistakes that reveal their true character

to grasp a rope of sand
  • Archaic
9.9

To try to do something that cannot be done

on the high rope
  • US
9.5

In a risky situation that could end badly

to walk on the high rope
  • Informal
8.6

To be in a risky situation that needs great care to avoid failure

Phrasal Verbs

to rope off
3 4.8

To keep people out of an area by putting ropes around it

to rope in
  • Informal
2 5.4

Convince someone to join an activity, often when they do not want to

to rope up
  • Jargon
1 7.4

Attach yourself to other climbers with ropes for safety

to rope down
  • Jargon
1 7.2

To go down a steep cliff using a rope

to rope in
4.3

Mark an area with a rope to keep people out

Compounds

jump rope
  • US
8 1.5

A rope with handles used for jumping over as it swings under your feet

rope burn
4 3.9

An area of skin rubbed and hurt by a rough cord

rope ladder
4 3.4

A ladder made of ropes and wooden steps used when a regular ladder cannot be used

rope-a-dope
  • Jargon
3 9.5

A boxing tactic of pretending to be weak to tire an opponent and outsmart them by appearing passive

rope bridge
2 3.5

A narrow crossing of ropes and boards for walking over water or a valley

jump rope
  • US
2 1.3

A game or exercise in which people jump while a rope swings under their feet

rope tow
  • Jargon
1 5.4

A ski lift with a moving rope that skiers hold onto to be pulled uphill

skip rope
  • US
1 2.1

A long rope with handles that you jump over for exercise

guide rope
  • Specialized
1 3.9

A rope that workers hold to control a load when a crane lifts it

guy rope
  • Specialized
1 5.1

A strong rope that holds a tent or pole steady by being tied to the ground

hangman's rope
  • NSFW
1 9.8

A rope that people use to kill someone by putting it around their neck and making them fall

anchor rope
3.9

A rope or chain that connects an anchor to a boat

ridge rope
  • Specialized
9.9

A rope at the side of a ship's front pole that crew hold for safety

rope of sand
  • Informal
9.9

Something that looks strong but is weak and cannot be trusted

rope yard
8.2

A long narrow workplace where people make strong lines for ships

rope yarn
  • Specialized
7.4

A bundle of strong threads twisted to make rope

rope-maker
5.8

A person who makes long strong cords by twisting fibers

towing rope
2.8

A strong rope that people use to pull a car or boat

skipping rope
  • UK
1.6

A long rope with handles that you swing and jump over for exercise or play

Surface Forms

rope infinitive
roped past
roped past participle
roping present participle
ropes third person singular

Etymology

To rope means 'to catch an animal with a rope' and comes from the tool itself: people used a thrown rope or lasso to catch cattle. That's why the verb rope means to catch animals by using a rope.