Hi and welcome to the first episode of Learn English with Amy, featuring a mini English lesson and a brief interview with my inaugural guest, who initially claims to be called "Jeff"!  :) This episode is also available on YouTube with subtitles: https://youtu.be/wOyAMlG7KOg

When we say we're LEARNING THE ROPES, it means we're learning how to do a job or activity. For example, I'm learning how to record and edit this podcast, and you'll even hear me testing the sound towards the start of the episode.

So where does this expression come from? Well, as with most idioms, it's true origin cannot be confirmed. However, it's very likely that it has a nautical origin -- and refers to sailors and sailing. As the website knowyourphrase.com explains: 

"When it comes to wind-powered ships, ropes (or lines), are important for navigating them through...the ocean. Many of these lines are attached to the sails of the ship and are used to control the shape of the sail. This, in turn, impacts how the vessel [or ship] moves around the water." 

So ropes are an essential part of a ship, and sailors must learn how to use them, move them and tie them into various knots.

When someone teaches you how to do a job or activity, they are SHOWING YOU THE ROPES. As for learning how to record a podcast, fortunately there are many people on YouTube who can help SHOW ME THE ROPES.

When you have successfully learned how to do a job or activity, you can say that you KNOW THE ROPES. ...With time and lots of podcasting practice, I'm sure I, too,  will be able to say that I *KNOW* THE ROPES.

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Link to full transcript: https://otter.ai/s/2hLjZ9h8TSi4UlUxwIBKgg