guide rope
Noun: A rope that is used to control, direct, or stabilize the movement of an object, typically a suspended load, to prevent it from swinging or spinning uncontrollably.
A "guide rope" is a specific tool used in lifting and rigging operations. It is attached to a load (like a piece of construction material, a boat being lifted, or stage scenery) that is being hoisted by a crane or similar device. People on the ground, called "tagline operators" or "guides," hold the ends of the rope(s) to manually steer the load and keep it from rotating or hitting obstacles during its movement.
- The crane operator lifted the steel beam while two workers used guide ropes to position it accurately over the foundation.
- Attach a guide rope to the air conditioning unit before we hoist it to the roof.
- Without a guide rope, the load began to spin dangerously in the wind.
- "To man the guide ropes": To take up positions to control the guide ropes.
- We need three people to man the guide ropes for this lift.
- The term is often used in the plural ("guide ropes") as multiple ropes are frequently attached to a single load for better control from different sides.
- Tagline (noun): This is a direct synonym for "guide rope" in rigging and crane operations. The terms are often used interchangeably.
- Guy rope or guyline (noun): A rope used to steady or secure a vertical structure (like a tent pole, mast, or antenna) by being anchored to the ground. While similar, a guy rope provides static stability, whereas a guide rope is for dynamic control of a moving object.
- Tagline
- Control line
- Steadying rope
The core meaning of "guide rope" is technical and specific to material handling. It is not typically used in abstract or metaphorical contexts. Do not confuse it with: * A "guide rope" used in mountaineering or caving, which is a fixed rope to assist in travel along a route. This is more precisely called a fixed line or safety line. * A "rope" used for general guidance, like a handrail. This would simply be called a rope guide or hand rope.
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a rope used to guide the movement of the load of a crane
