batten down
The phrase 'batten down' originates from nautical practices of securing ship hatches to prevent water from entering during storms, now commonly used metaphorically to mean preparing for challenging situations.
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Definition
C1Nautical
(technical)To secure a ship's hatches and make it watertight in preparation for stormy weather.
Example
- The crew was ordered to batten down the hatches as the storm approached.
B2General
(idiomatic)To prepare for a difficult or dangerous situation by taking protective measures.
Example
- With the economic downturn, businesses need to batten down and cut costs.
- As the hurricane neared, residents were advised to batten down and stay indoors.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "batten down":
fasten downhunker downknuckle downbunker upnail downtie downbuckle inbear downput up the shutterstighten upbed downbunk downlock downbelt uppin downtamp downtrim one's sailsbuckle uplash downkeep one's head downhold onto your hatdampen downdamp downbite downlower the boomlash off