learning the ropes

cbenigno | 21:15 Tue 27th Jul 2004 | Phrases & Sayings

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Where does the phrase "learning the ropes" come from?

sweet tooth, salty tooth

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kalise25

I have a sneaking suscpicion that it's to do with sailing back in the nth/18th/19th century, as in "the boy will learn the ropes" but I'm sure Quizmonster will give you a more accurate and detailed explanation than that!:')

Quizmonster

You've got it exactly right, Kalise! If you click here, CB, that will link you to a web-page which explains this and other 'ropes' idioms.

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