batten down
Secure before storm
To batten down is to secure something against harsh conditions, especially by fastening covers or hatches.
The phrase comes from seamanship, where sailors batten down hatches before storms by nailing wooden strips (battens) over them.
Now mostly figurative: We battened down before the recession hit.
Batten down the hatches signals preparation for any coming difficulty.
Fix securely in position
- tightenMake more secure
- anchorSecures ships to seabed
- boltThreaded rod for nuts
- clampDevice for holding tight
fix · lock · stabilize · reinforce · bind · brace · latch · moor
Severe atmospheric disturbance
- hurricaneViolent tropical windstorm
- typhoonWestern Pacific hurricane
- cycloneRotating low-pressure storm system
- evacuationRemoval from danger
emergency kit · plywood · sandbags · generator · flashlight · supplies · shelter · warning
fasten
Fix securely in position
clamp · fix · lock · stabilize · reinforce · bind · brace · latch · moor · nail
storm
Severe atmospheric disturbance
- hurricaneViolent tropical windstorm
- typhoonWestern Pacific hurricane
- cycloneRotating low-pressure storm system
evacuation · emergency kit · plywood · sandbags · generator · flashlight · supplies · shelter · warning · forecast
hatch
Opening in deck or floor
rigging · sailcloth · porthole · gangway · bulkhead · seacock · companionway · locker · tarpaulin · lashing
- nauticalanchor, anchor chain, anchors, boat, boats
- nautical termsahoy, afloat, aye aye, aye-aye, becalmed
- Nautical Idiomsall hands on deck, smooth sailing, three sheets to the wind, in the same boat, rock the boat
- sea idiomsall at sea, dead in the water, smooth sailing, sink or swim, miss the boat
- tighten upfasten, secure, lock, clamp, bolt
- Navy Slangaye aye, scuttlebutt, shipmate, swabbie, old salt