Its such a strange idiom that seems to have no obvious universal connection to its meaning I dont even know where it originated- (sailors on old sail vessels learning the rigging?) and I cant imagine the same one coming about in another language.
Etymology
Of nautical origin: in the past, the phrase “he knows the ropes” written on a seaman’s discharge meant that he was inexperienced and only familiar with a ship’s principal ropes.
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Verb
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(originally nautical, informal) To learn the basics or master introductory knowledge.
Work slowly and cautiously until you have learned the ropes.
(informal) To learn some skill requiring specialist knowledge.
...hey, makes hell of a lot more sense than "cutting your teeth". 乁( ͡°Ĺ̯ ͡°) ㄏ
last edited at Oct 2, 2020 4:59AM