know the ropes

Two possible consequences: a bigger ideological divide between the two major parties as old-time moderates retire, he said, and more power to staffers and lobbyists who know the ropes of the legislature.

The advantage the Dudamel Fellows enjoy is that they know the ropes.

She’s coming in like, “I know the ropes and I’ll try to show you,” but she’s doing it reluctantly.

Asked to grade Meadows’s performance, Christie, who resisted Trump’s entreaties in 2018 to serve as chief of staff, said, “Incomplete, so far. . . . He’s still getting to know the ropes, getting used to everything, and working with this president up close every day is a much different experience than being one of his supporters on Capitol Hill. I’m sure the chief is learning that now.”

“It is a real shame. I know the ropes. My French is good enough.”