1 B1 neutral
To enclose or mark off an area with a rope or similar barrier to control access.
"The police roped off the street while the investigation was under way."
separable
rope off
B2 neutral separable transitive
To enclose or separate an area using a rope or similar barrier to keep people in or out.
In plain English
To put a rope around an area so people know they shouldn't go there.
What does "rope off" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
To create a special enclosed area for VIPs or restricted access at an event.
"A velvet rope roped off the VIP section at the front of the venue."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To enclose an area with a rope — fully transparent.
Actually means
To put a rope around an area so people know they shouldn't go there.
Usage tip
Commonly used for events, crime scenes, construction sites, VIP areas, and historical sites. The 'rope' may be a literal rope, velvet rope, tape, or any temporary barrier. Often seen in news reports and instructions. 'Roped off' is a very common participial adjective.
Words that pair with "rope off"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
area section zone stage crime scene VIP area entrance
How to conjugate "rope off"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
rope off
I/you/we/they
3rd person
ropes off
he/she/it
Past simple
roped off
yesterday
Past participle
roped off
have + pp
-ing form
roping off
continuous
Hear "rope off" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "rope off" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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