Literally, to batten the hatches is to place battens (narrow strips of wood) around the hatches of a ship in preparation for stormy weather. Figuratively, to batten the hatches is to prepare for an imminent emergency.
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Literally, to batten the hatches is to place battens (narrow strips of wood) around the hatches of a ship in preparation for stormy weather. Figuratively, to batten the hatches is to prepare for an imminent emergency.