"batten down the hatches" 来自航海业，batten压条是暴风雨来的时候用来封舱(扣紧船舱口盖)的长木条。hatch的意思是舱口。batten down the hatches的字面意思直接理解就是“钉上扣板密闭舱口，封舱”。除此之外它还有一个引申义，to prepare for a difficult situation 准备面对困境，再困难来临前做好该做的准备。 My sister's children were coming to stay so we had to batten down the hatches. 我姐姐的孩子要来住几天，我们得事先作好准备。