Phrase guide

throw someone a rope

verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To rescue someone by providing them with help, such as material aid, financial aid, a face-saving excuse, or a clue.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic

Examples

  • Near-synonyms: save someone's life, save someone's skin, save someone's bacon, pull someone's bacon out of the fire, give someone a hand, lend a hand, bail someone out
  • He's out there making a fool of himself. Someone should throw him a rope.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: save someone's life, save someone's skin, save someone's bacon, pull someone's bacon out of the fire, give someone a hand, lend a hand, bail out

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: to rescue someone from drowning by tossing a rope for them to grab onto and be dragged to safety.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • He's out there fighting the riptide. We need to throw him a rope.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.