To show someone the ropes is to teach a newcomer how things work. Somebody will show someone the ropes on the first day.
It means the unwritten workings rather than the formal training. The ropes are a sailing ship's rigging, which a new hand had to learn by name before being any use.
1phraseshow someone the ropesTo teach a newcomer how things work.
“Ask Marion to show someone the ropes when the new clerk starts.”
show someone the ropes is a phrase.
Practised in Idioms