batten down the hatches

Từ điển Oxford Advanced Learner 8th

ˌbatten down the ˈhatches idiom
1. to prepare yourself for a period of difficulty or trouble
•A natural tendency in times of recession is to batten down the hatches and think about our own needs.
2. (on a ship)to firmly shut all the entrances to the lower part, especially because a storm is expected
Main entry: ↑batten_idiom