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to rope

to rope

13 1.0
To tie or secure something with a strong cord
  • verb
  • /roʊp/
: atar
  • All right, let's get this boat roped up.

Examples

  • Herbert is mountain climbing with Pauline, and they are roped together for safety.

    Academic text (2001)
  • We've roped off some seats for you.

  • Now I did not like that they rope this van off.

  • Michael, see if you can find something to rope the coffin off with, please.

  • Sally noticed that a man stood in the section of the pool roped off for her water aerobics class.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • The alley's been roped off with sawhorses labeled "crime area."

    Fiction book (1995)
  • The beachhead was already roped off in several places atop the bluff, mostly to the north, toward the motel.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Please rope the boxes together so they don't fall over during transport.

  • The workers had to rope off the construction site for safety reasons.

  • He used a long piece of string to rope the items securely on the cart.

Synonyms

to strap
vsto rope
222 2.9

To fasten something with a band so it stays in place

uses a long cord for fastening rather than flat straps or supports
to buckle
vsto rope
102 1.6

To fasten a belt or strap with a clasp

is general fastening that uses long flexible line instead of strap locks
to bind
vsto rope
64 3.2

To tie something tightly with rope or string

is the general securing action without stressing tight wrapping or restriction
to chain
vsto rope
58 2.3

To fasten things together using metal links

is the act of fastening with flexible line rather than metal links
to tie up
vsto rope
57 2.2

Fasten something with rope so it cannot move

is the general fastening act without focus on preventing movement
to tie down
vsto rope
41 4.0

To fasten something with rope or straps to keep it from moving

is the broader fastening action without emphasis on restraint
to band
vsto rope
34 3.3

To tie things together with a loop of material

is the general action of fastening using longer flexible line instead of flat strips
to lace
vsto rope
23 1.0

To thread a cord through holes to fasten shoes

is a broader fastening action not specifically about threading through eyelets
to cinch
vsto rope
13 5.5

To fasten a strap tightly so it does not slip

is general securing that does not focus on tightening with a strap
to tie in knots
vsto rope
11 3.2

Fasten a rope or string so it does not come loose

is a broader fastening action not limited to using knots
to lash
vsto rope
11 4.7

To fasten something securely with rope or cord

is the simple act of fastening without insistence on wrapping tightly
to tether
vsto rope
10 4.4

To tie an animal or object so it cannot move away

is the general act of fastening without the specific idea of range restriction
to belay
vsto rope
  • Specialized
8 9.1

To tie a rope to something to hold it for safety, for example when climbing or docking a boat

is broader, meaning to fasten generally rather than securing a line to something
to truss
vsto rope
3 7.0

To tie the legs and wings of a bird so it cooks evenly

is the general fastening action not limited to culinary or specific uses
to lash together
vsto rope
2 4.4

To tie things together with rope to hold them in place

is used for single fastening without necessarily joining multiple items
to cable
vsto rope
2 5.5

To fasten something with a strong wire or rope

uses a flexible nonmetal line for fastening rather than metal wire
to clasp
vsto rope
2 3.0

To fasten something with a small hook or buckle

is broader fastening using longer flexible line rather than small fasteners
to cord
vsto rope
1 6.1

To bind things with a thin rope or string

refers generally to fastening using a longer, stronger line
to frap
vsto rope
  • Jargon
1 9.9

To tie something tightly with rope so it does not move

is the general act of fastening or securing using a long cord
to cleat
vsto rope
  • Specialized
1 7.4

To tie a rope to a metal or wooden fitting to hold it in place

is the broader fastening action not tied to a particular fitting method

Antonyms

185 1.0

Make something less tight so it can move or open

121 1.0

Make a knot or lace loose by undoing it

Idioms

Let someone act freely until they make a mistake

1 8.7

Easy pay you get with little or no work

1 9.5

In a risky situation that could end badly

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

8.7

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

To try to do something that cannot be done

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

Phrasal Verbs

to rope in
  • Informal
10 5.4

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

5 4.8

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

to rope up
  • Jargon
1 7.4

Attach yourself to other climbers with ropes for safety

1 4.3

Mark an area with a rope to keep people out

to rope down
  • Jargon
1 7.2

To go down a steep cliff using a rope

Compounds

15 1.3

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

10 1.5

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

rope-a-dope
  • Jargon
6 9.5

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

5 3.9

An area of skin rubbed and hurt by a rough cord

3 3.4

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

3 3.5

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

2 2.1

A long rope with handles that you jump over for exercise

rope tow
  • Jargon
1 5.4

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

1 2.8

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

guide rope
  • Specialized
1 3.9

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

1 9.8

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

1 1.6

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

1 3.9

A rope or chain that connects an anchor to a boat

guy rope
  • Specialized
1 5.1

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

1 5.8

A person who makes long strong cords by twisting fibers

rope of sand
  • Informal
1 9.9

Something that looks strong but is weak and cannot be trusted

1 8.2

A long narrow workplace where people make strong lines for ships

ridge rope
  • Specialized
9.9

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

rope yarn
  • Specialized
7.4

A bundle of strong threads twisted to make rope

How Secure

to restrain
233 4.6
to bind
64 3.2
to secure
105 3.3
to fasten
73 1.6
to rope
13 1.0
to tie
702 1.0
to wrap
560 1.0

Surface Forms

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

Etymology

To rope (to fasten, tie, or secure) comes from the same old word for the noun rope, the strong cord you use for binding things; a helpful image is tying items together with a rope. So to rope something is to fasten or secure it with a rope.