batten down the hatches

phrase

: to prepare for a difficult or dangerous situation

Word History

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of batten down the hatches was in 1882

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batten down

batten down the hatches

battener

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Style

“Batten down the hatches.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/batten%20down%20the%20hatches. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

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Last Updated: 24 Feb 2026 - Definition revised

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batten down the hatches

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