1bat·ten 
/ˈbætn̩/ verb
bat·tens; bat·tened; bat·ten·ing /ˈbætn̩/ verb Meaning:
batten down [phrasal verb] 1 : to prepare for possible trouble or difficulty
▪ The city is battening down for the weekend's scheduled protests. ▪ People are battening down in preparation for a hard winter. 2 batten down (something) or batten (something) down : to tie, close, or cover (something) in order to prevent it from moving or becoming damaged
▪ Everything on the ship's deck was battened down. ▪ We were able to batten down the house just before the storm hit. 3 batten down the hatches : to prepare a boat or ship for dangerous stormy weather by closing and covering the openings in the deck — often used figuratively ▪ As the economy grows worse, investors need to batten down the hatches and prepare for tough times ahead.
▪ The city is battening down for the weekend's scheduled protests. ▪ People are battening down in preparation for a hard winter.
▪ Everything on the ship's deck was battened down. ▪ We were able to batten down the house just before the storm hit.
batten on [phrasal verb]
batten on (something or someone) Brit, formal + disapproving : to live well or succeed by using (something or someone)
▪ someone who battens on the strength/generosity of others
▪ someone who battens on the strength/generosity of others
