Prepare for trouble.

Etymology:

  • From the practice aboard a ship of sealing hatches to prevent water getting below-decks in a storm by using covers secured by strips of material, called battens, firmly attached to the frame of the hatch opening.
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Submitted on September 01, 2009

Additional definitions for 'batten down the hatches':

Batten Down the HatchesTo prepare for any sort of emergency before time by taking proper measures
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