the present invention is a holding device for a rope , cable , wire and the like hereafter referred to as rope and more particularly a sliding cam rope cleat comprised of a holding device , a slideable cam member controlled by a sliding handle and two passageways therethrough for the rope member . while the sliding handle is engaged in the open position , the cam member will not be resident in the first passageway and a rope member may be freely inserted and drawn . however once the sliding handle is engaged in the clamping position , the cam member will partially obstruct the first passageway and the tapered serrated bottom of the cam member will engagingly grip and secure the inserted rope member . subsequently , the holding device provides for a quick release of the secured rope member by returning the sliding member to its first open position thereby disengaging the tapered serrated cam member for the inserted rope member . in addition , the holding device offers a second passageway which serves as a storage receptacle for any slack in the rope member .