battens down

1.(暴风雨或失火时)钉上扣板密闭舱口

1.to make something such as a door or window safe by closing it tightly or fastening it with a piece of wood

2.to get ready or to make something ready for a difficult or dangerous situation

3.to prepare for a difficult or dangerous situation by taking action to protect yourself; to close the entrances to the lower part of a ship very tightly, especially in a storm