Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Electric-vehicle makers are battening down the hatches, preparing for some stormy weather.

From Barron's • Oct. 24, 2025

There is that emotional mix of anticipation from the people who know what can happen here, combined with a palpable, psychic battening down the hatches because no one knows what is actually going to transpire.

From Salon • May 13, 2025

Paul Martin, UK head of retail at KPMG, said "cautious consumers are battening down the hatches" so retailers should expect demand to be down in the first few months of 2024.

From BBC • Jan. 8, 2024

As with prior influential political narratives, weekends tend to be nervy periods when markets are closed or illiquid and Fridays a time for battening down hatches just in case.

From Reuters • Oct. 16, 2023

Reorganizing sickbay and battening down the storage area took them most of the day, but Piper didn’t mind.

From "The Mark of Athena" by Rick Riordan