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.
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.