1. batten down the hatches - Verb
2. batten down the hatches - Phrase
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.
At least most people had the good sense to batten down the hatches and operate as though Hannibal would be out and hunting again in short order. Source: Internet
I think as the new CEO of a struggling company, however, she has to demand that everyone batten down the hatches and lean into their work. Source: Internet