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batten down the hatches. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
batten down the hatches, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
batten down the hatches in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
batten down the hatches you have here. The definition of the word
batten down the hatches will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
batten down the hatches, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
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.
Pronunciation
Verb
batten down the hatches (third-person singular simple present battens down the hatches, present participle battening down the hatches, simple past and past participle battened down the hatches)
- (idiomatic) To prepare for trouble.
Usage notes
- Other determiners (eg, these, those, all the) and modifiers (eg, virtual, financial) can modify hatches.
Translations
nautical: to cover the hatches
See also
Further reading
- “batten down the hatches”, in Collins English Dictionary.
- “batten down the hatches, phrase”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022.
- “batten down the hatches”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.
- “batten down the hatches”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
- “batten down the hatches” in TheFreeDictionary.com, Huntingdon Valley, Pa.: Farlex, Inc., 2003–2024.