batten down the hatches

Idioms  

1. Prepare for trouble, as in Here comes the boss—batten down the hatches. This term originated in the navy, where it signified preparing for a storm by fastening down canvas over doorways and hatches (openings) with strips of wood called battens. [Late 1800s]

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

batten down the hatches

Stay safe this weekend and batten down the hatches.

From MarketWatch ● Jan. 24, 2026

Banks have looked to batten down the hatches in response.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 30, 2025

Warning signs such as these can cause investors to think it’s time to sell bonds and batten down the hatches.

From Barron's ● Dec. 18, 2025

Now TV’s top prizes must batten down the hatches for a major contraction.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 11, 2024

When a gust yanks the handle out of her grasp, she decides to batten down the hatches, latching it behind her and inspecting her surroundings via phone flashlight.

From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---