1 B2 neutral
(Mountaineering) To attach oneself and fellow climbers together with a rope before ascending, for safety.
"The group roped up at the base of the glacier before crossing the crevasse field."
rope up
B2 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To tie someone or something with rope, or (in climbing) to connect oneself or a group with a safety rope before ascending.
In plain English
To tie someone up with rope, OR (for climbers) to attach yourself to the climbing rope before going up.
What does "rope up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B1 neutral
To tie someone or something up securely with a rope.
"They roped up the cargo on the truck so it wouldn't shift during the journey."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To wrap or fasten with rope from the bottom upward — or to secure by rope — mostly transparent.
Actually means
To tie someone up with rope, OR (for climbers) to attach yourself to the climbing rope before going up.
Usage tip
The climbing sense is the most widely recognised specialised use — 'rope up' is standard terminology in mountaineering for when a team attaches to a shared rope. The general tying sense is also used. In American ranch culture, 'rope up' can mean to lasso or tie livestock.
Words that pair with "rope up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
climbers team rope harness mountain livestock prisoner partner
How to conjugate "rope up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
rope up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
ropes up
he/she/it
Past simple
roped up
yesterday
Past participle
roped up
have + pp
-ing form
roping up
continuous
Hear "rope up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "rope up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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