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I saw this headline in the November 26 issue of The Nation:

"ELECTION CAMPAIGN Parties tap the country's top talent roped in to draw up poll-winning policies."

First of all, what is a rope and what is a string? They both look very much the same: cord made by twisting thin fibres together and used for fastening and tying things - only that a rope is bigger and stronger. We use string to tie a parcel, control puppets etc. while rope is used for something like towing a broken-down car or tying big, heavy materials in the back of a pick-up truck.

But in this headline it is the phrasal verb "rope in" that is used to tell us what happened to the "country's top talent".

This informal expression means to persuade someone to help you with a particular job, usually because you need extra people to help finish it. So the headline tells us that political parties persuaded the best people in the country to help in writing policies that will help them win the election.

Wanwilai was worried that she would be fined if she could not meet the research deadline, so she roped in a few old classmates to help her. 

Another interesting phrasal verb with "rope" is "rope off". Different from "rope in", "rope off" carries the message of "a rope" that is to separate an area from another by surrounding it with a rope, usually to keep people out.

The murder scene was roped off with police officers standing guard.

There are a few expressions that use "rope"; let's start with "to learn/know the ropes".  

Someone who knows/learns the ropes knows/learns how to deal with a particular task, activity or problem. 

These kids have been living in this area long enough that they know the ropes; they have never got into trouble with the police.

Another expression with a similar connotation is "to teach someone the ropes", meaning to teach or show someone how to do a particular kind of work.

Sam likes you a lot; I am sure he will show you the ropes.

But the expression, "to give someone plenty of rope/enough rope" has a different meaning. When you give someone plenty of rope or enough rope, you give them the freedom to do things their own way, hoping that they will fail or look silly. 

The boss intended to give Abigail plenty of rope, despite knowing that she was unqualified for the task.

Complete the sentences using the expressions explained:

1. It might be difficult at the beginning adjusting to the new environment, but once you … you will be fine.

2. Samarn … many of his old gang members to help him rob the central bank.

3. If you insist I will … but I also want to see a flawless outcome.

4. Jack had just finishing …his newly sown field when the storm started.

5. I really want to do my best, if you only … .  

Answers: 1. have learned the ropes, 2. roped in, 3. give you plenty of rope, 4. roping off,  5. teach me the ropes

By Parnsap Yomanage