rope off
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb (transitive):
- To separate, isolate, or enclose an area by stretching a rope or similar barrier around it, typically to prevent entry or to mark a boundary.
Usage
- The verb "rope off" is used to describe the action of creating a physical barrier, usually for safety, security, or organizational purposes. It implies a temporary or semi-permanent restriction of access. It is often used in passive constructions (e.g., "The area was roped off").
Examples
- Verb:
- The organizers will rope off the VIP section at the concert.
- After the accident, the police roped off the street for their investigation.
- The construction site has been roped off to keep pedestrians safe.
Advanced Usage
- "to rope something off from something": To specifically separate one area from another using a rope barrier.
- They roped off the exhibition area from the main hall.
Variants and Related Words
- Cordon off (verb phrase): A near-synonym often used in more formal or official contexts, especially by police or security forces.
- Authorities cordoned off the building after the threat.
Synonyms
- Cordon off: To enclose or separate an area with a line of police, soldiers, or barriers.
- Barricade: To block or defend with a barrier.
- Seal off: To close an area completely so that nothing can enter or leave.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Fence off: To separate an area by putting a fence around it (implies a more permanent barrier than "rope off").
- They fenced off the pasture for the new horses.
- Tape off: To mark an area as restricted using tape (e.g., police tape), serving a very similar function to "rope off".
- The police taped off the crime scene.
Related Idioms
- No idiom directly uses "rope off." The action is literal. A related concept is "behind the ropes," which refers to a restricted area or one reserved for privileged people, alluding to the ropes used at events to separate the audience from the performers or special guests.
Verb
- divide by means of a rope
- The police roped off the area where the crime occurred