From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishthe ropesthe ropes[plural] a) all the things someone needs to know to do a job or deal with a system I spent the first month just learning the ropes. He works repairing streets, and knows the ropes when it comes to safety. Miss McGinley will show you the ropes and answer any questions. b) the rope fence that surrounds an area used for boxing or wrestling → rope
Examples from the Corpus
show ... the ropes• We ask that person to look after them and to show them the ropes.• Some people ask a friend to show them the ropes, or, worse still, they teach themselves.• They brought it home and invited me over to show them the ropes and install some shareware.• I want you to show her the ropes. 