hatch (redirected from under hatches)

batten down the hatches

Fig. to prepare for difficult times. (From a nautical expression meaning, literally, to seal the hatches against the arrival of a storm. The word order is fixed.) Here comes that contentious Mrs. Jones. Batten down the hatches! Batten down the hatches, Congress is in session again.

count one's chickens before they hatch

Fig. to plan how to utilize good results of something before those results have occurred. (The same as Don't count your chickens before they are hatched.) You may be disappointed if you count your chickens before they hatch.

See also: before, chicken, count

Down the hatch.

I am about to drink this.; Let's all drink up. (Said as one is about to take a drink, especially of something bad-tasting or potent. Also used as a jocular toast.) Bob said, "Down the hatch," and drank the whiskey in one gulp. Let's toast the bride and groom. Down the hatch!

hatch an animal out

to aid in releasing an animal from an egg. They hatched lots of ducks out at the hatchery. The farmer hatched out hundreds of chicks each month.

See also: animal, out

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batten down the hatches

to prepare yourself for a difficult period by protecting yourself in every possible way

Usage notes: When there is a storm, ships batten down the hatches (= close the doors to the outside) as protection against bad weather.

When you're coming down with a cold, all you can do is batten down the hatches and wait for the body to fight it off.

Down the hatch!  (informal)

something that you say before drinking an alcoholic drink, especially when you are going to drink it all without stopping And a whisky for you. Down the hatch, as they say.