batten down

Pity the poor Zanesvillians who had to batten down the hatches to avoid being eaten by the 18 free-roaming Bengal tigers.

The instinct of self-preservation warned him to batten down his hatches, to smother the fire with want of air.

You mariners batten down the hatchways when the heavens are dark and seas are angry.

Hew would go away, and in time he would batten down, fight and conquer his infatuation for Mrs. Maule.

I continued, "May I ask what book you are using just now to batten down your own thoughts?"

"You'll perhaps batten down your hatches till you're spoke to, my friend," cried Silver truculently to this speaker.