essential adj. 基本的；必要的；

　　maritime adj. 海的；海事的；

　　survive vi. 幸存；活下来

　　KNOW THE ROPES

　　This phrase has its origins in the golden age of sailing, when understanding how to handle the ropes necessary to operate a ship and its sails was an essential maritime skill. By the mid-19th century it was a common slang expression, and it survives to this day.

　　这个短语起源于航海的黄金时代，那时操控绳子对于操纵船和帆是一种至关重要，且基本的航海技能。到19世纪中叶，这是一种常见的俚语，并一直流传至今。

　　在不同的语境下可以理解为下面的意思

　　知道内情，很内行

　　拓展： learn the ropes摸到窍门[线索]，弄清内幕

　　情景一：懂得诀窍，学到诀窍

　　She is new here and still doesn't know the ropes.

　　她是新手，还不懂得诀窍。

　　The business is new to him, but he will soon get to learn the ropes.

　　他对这门业务不熟悉，但他是会很快学会该怎么做的。

　　情景二：（做生意的）门道

　　Building a business is hard work — and it certainly helps to get some advice from people who know the ropes and know what traps to avoid.

　　（FORBES: Build a Million-Dollar Business）

　　建立一个企业是一项艰苦的工作——当然，从懂行的人那里得到一些建议，并知道要避免什么样的陷阱，这无疑是有帮助的。