We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Linguistics

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Does "down the Hatch" Mean?

Jim B.
By
Updated: May 23, 2024
Views: 20,224
References
Share

"Down the hatch" is an English idiom that is used to encourage someone to drink the entire contents of his or her beverage of choice. In this manner it serves as a kind of toast to be used in polite company when drinking alcohol. This phrase can also be used whenever anyone is eating or drinking something right before the person opens his mouth to take in food or drink. It appears that "down the hatch" originated from the practice of ships carrying freight below deck in the hatch area.

An idiom is a phrase or word that develops a meaning that doesn't necessarily match its literal definition. Its meaning may also vary from what the meaning was when it was first originated. Instead, it gains its new meaning from the way it is used among the people of a particular culture. Idioms provide color and impact to speakers who don't want to sound mundane. Many idioms have to do with food and drink, and one of these idioms is the phrase "down the hatch."

The most common usage of this idiomatic expression occurs whenever two or more people are preparing to drink alcohol at the same time. At occasions like these, it is common for one member of the group to say a few words right before everyone drinks at the same time. This is known as a toast, and "down the hatch" is one of the most popular general toasts available. It implies that those drinking should finish all of the drink before them in one lift of the glass or container.

Although it is often used as a toast, the meaning of this expression is versatile enough to include any occasions when food or drink is involved. Essentially, the "hatch" could mean the person's mouth, throat, or stomach, since all of those areas are destinations for food and drink in the human body. As an example of how this phrase is used, consider the sentence, "Don't be afraid of the size of that steak; just throw it down the hatch."

In days when ships were a more popular method of transport for people and freight, this phrase literally referred to the part of the ship where cargo was stored for the voyage. It is likely that this caused people to think of eating and drinking since the ship was figuratively eating the cargo. Sailors were also known to drink and give rowdy toasts, so it's likely that "down the hatch" originated in that setting.

Share
Language & Humanities is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources
Jim B.
By Jim B.
Freelance writer - Jim Beviglia has made a name for himself by writing for national publications and creating his own successful blog. His passion led to a popular book series, which has gained the attention of fans worldwide. With a background in journalism, Beviglia brings his love for storytelling to his writing career where he engages readers with his unique insights.
Discussion Comments
By JackWhack — On Jul 25, 2012

@giddion – It is unfortunate that social drinking causes alcohol abuse for many people. My uncle and his buddies used to have “down the hatch” parties, where they would play drinking games that resulted in everyone getting wasted.

He finally got away from this group of friends and sobered up. He actually had to go through rehab, because it had become an addiction. He got a good job and got married, and things seemed to be going well.

However, when he went to his college reunion, he got back in with the same group. They had a massive “down the hatch” party, and he fell off the wagon. He managed to recover again, but he knew that he had to avoid these parties forever after that.

By giddion — On Jul 25, 2012

I always hated it when my friends would toast and say, “Down the hatch,” because I knew that I was expected to guzzle my alcohol. I've never been good at holding my liquor, and on more than one occasion, this has resulted in vomiting.

I think that the use and popularity of this term may be one reason that so many college students abuse alcohol. They feel peer pressure to the extreme, because they are so far away from home and family. Of course, they are going to do whatever everyone else is doing, because feeling like they belong is essential to them.

Now that I'm older, I don't give in to peer pressure. If a group of my friends says, “Down the hatch,” now, I just take a small sip. There is no reason for me to make myself sick just to fit in any longer.

By wavy58 — On Jul 24, 2012

I've never done much social drinking, so I've never heard this expression used in the way it normally is. However, I have heard the idiom, “Batten down the hatches.”

I know that this expression means to secure yourself from whatever turmoil is about to occur. It's a figure of speech, since it doesn't normally refer to an actual storm. Back in the day, it meant to secure the ship from the oncoming storm, but today, it just means prepare yourself.

My friend owns a house on the beach, and whenever a strong storm is approaching, she boards up the windows. She refers to this as battening down the hatches before evacuating for a hurricane.

My other friend was about to have to give some very bad news to a coworker, and she mentally battened down her hatches before speaking to her. It's all about being ready for rough things.

Jim B.
Jim B.
Freelance writer - Jim Beviglia has made a name for himself by writing for national publications and creating his own...
Learn more
Share
https://www.languagehumanities.org/what-does-down-the-hatch-mean.htm
Copy this link
Language & Humanities, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

Language & Humanities, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.