Batten
verb
To strengthen or secure something with long flat strips of wood, metal, or plastic.
The workers are battening the roof with wooden strips.
Often appears as...
- batten down
- batten the hatches
noun
Long flat strip of wood, metal or plastic used to strengthen or hold something together.
The structure became stronger with additional battens.
Often appears as...
- roof batten
- wall batten
verb
To become better or richer in an unfair or selfish way.
He's battening on the misfortunes of others.
Often appears as...
- batten on misfortune
- batten on weaknesses
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To prepare for a difficult situation by taking necessary actions.
We need to batten down the hatches for the coming storm.
Often appears as...
- batten down the hatches
- batten down for a storm
Usage tips
Idiomatic
verb
To strengthen or secure something with long flat strips of wood, metal, or plastic.
The workers are battening the roof with wooden strips.
Often appears as...
- batten down
- batten the hatches
noun
Long flat strip of wood, metal or plastic used to strengthen or hold something together.
The structure became stronger with additional battens.
Often appears as...
- roof batten
- wall batten
verb
To become better or richer in an unfair or selfish way.
He's battening on the misfortunes of others.
Often appears as...
- batten on misfortune
- batten on weaknesses
Usage tips
Disapproving
verb
To prepare for a difficult situation by taking necessary actions.
We need to batten down the hatches for the coming storm.
Often appears as...
- batten down the hatches
- batten down for a storm
Usage tips
Idiomatic
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/2Physical Strengthening
Used in construction or DIY contexts, implies adding support to structures.
We must batten the fences before the strong winds arrive.
Pro Tip 2/2Prevent Damage
Focuses on preventing harm by secure fastening, especially from bad weather.
Let's batten the windows to keep the rain out.
Pro Tip 1/2Physical Strengthening
Used in construction or DIY contexts, implies adding support to structures.
We must batten the fences before the strong winds arrive.
Pro Tip 2/2Prevent Damage
Focuses on preventing harm by secure fastening, especially from bad weather.
Let's batten the windows to keep the rain out.
Pro Tip 1/2Physical Strengthening
Used in construction or DIY contexts, implies adding support to structures.
We must batten the fences before the strong winds arrive.
Pro Tip 2/2Prevent Damage
Focuses on preventing harm by secure fastening, especially from bad weather.
Let's batten the windows to keep the rain out.
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Video examples
Introducing a New...
I think braced themselves for the storm that's coming and bracing himself I think they just mentally get themselves ready for a little bit of a miserable time whereas the way we brace ourselves is we're gonna have to batten down the hatches on the land driver and get there
Video examples
A choreographer's...
baked Bay Bay Bay Bay de boom baye baye baye baye baye baye baye baye baye baye ah batten down and out and out and out and bath Bay hey bath batten bay de dum
Video examples
Introducing a New...
I think braced themselves for the storm that's coming and bracing himself I think they just mentally get themselves ready for a little bit of a miserable time whereas the way we brace ourselves is we're gonna have to batten down the hatches on the land driver and get there
Video examples
A choreographer's...
baked Bay Bay Bay Bay de boom baye baye baye baye baye baye baye baye baye baye ah batten down and out and out and out and bath Bay hey bath batten bay de dum
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Jason Nash
American Actor
I went to UMass-Amherst and was like, 'I want to work in news, I want to be a journalist.' Then I got there and was like, 'what kind of crap is this?' They inflate everything. It will be like snowing outside, like just a little bit, and they are like 'Giant storm coming, batten down the hatches!' and I just didn't like that aspect of it.
Quote examples
Mick Fleetwood
British Musician
No matter what - rehearsed, under-rehearsed, over-rehearsed, doubts about rehearsing - the first gig is always the first gig, and you put on your little praying hat, batten down the hatch, and do what you do.
Quote examples
Cullen Bunn
American Writer
In times of crisis, different people react in different ways. Some might try to escape. Others might attempt to batten down the hatches and ride out the storm in a safe haven.
Quote examples
Gordon Ramsay
Scottish Chef
I'm not trying to take New York by storm. I just want to sneak in there, keep my head down, batten down the hatches and cook.
Quote examples
Jason Nash
American Actor
I went to UMass-Amherst and was like, 'I want to work in news, I want to be a journalist.' Then I got there and was like, 'what kind of crap is this?' They inflate everything. It will be like snowing outside, like just a little bit, and they are like 'Giant storm coming, batten down the hatches!' and I just didn't like that aspect of it.
Quote examples
Mick Fleetwood
British Musician
No matter what - rehearsed, under-rehearsed, over-rehearsed, doubts about rehearsing - the first gig is always the first gig, and you put on your little praying hat, batten down the hatch, and do what you do.
Quote examples
Cullen Bunn
American Writer
In times of crisis, different people react in different ways. Some might try to escape. Others might attempt to batten down the hatches and ride out the storm in a safe haven.
Quote examples
Gordon Ramsay
Scottish Chef
I'm not trying to take New York by storm. I just want to sneak in there, keep my head down, batten down the hatches and cook.
Example 1 of 4
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