Battened down is a phrase that typically means to secure something tightly or to prepare for a storm or bad weather. Some antonyms for battened down could include: unfastened, unsecured, unprepared, open, exposed, or vulnerable. These words describe the opposite of battened down- a state of being unsecured or unprepared for unfavorable circumstances. While it is important to have a plan for storms or other emergencies, it is also important to be flexible and adaptable. Sometimes we need to let go and allow things to unfold without trying to control every detail.