bulkhead
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bulkhead
A watertight or fireproof partition wall in a ship, submarine, or aircraft that divides the interior into separate compartments in order to increase safety.
Bei dem Wassereinbruch wurden sofort die Schotten geschlossen, um ein Sinken des Schiffes zu verhindern.
When water started coming in, the bulkheads were closed immediately to prevent the ship from sinking.
to shut oneself off
A fixed expression meaning to shut oneself off completely, isolate oneself, or refuse all communication and access.
Nach der Kritik machte der Politiker die Schotten dicht und gab keine Interviews mehr.
After the criticism, the politician shut himself off and stopped giving interviews.
You can recognize the literal meaning of 'Schott' (bulkhead) from the technical context (ships, submarines). The figurative meaning occurs almost exclusively in the fixed expression 'die Schotten dichtmachen' (to shut oneself off).
Ein Schott trennt den Maschinenraum vom Rest des Schiffes.
A bulkhead separates the engine room from the rest of the ship.
This word is used mainly in seafaring and aircraft construction. It describes a sturdy partition wall intended to ensure safety.
Das U-Boot hat mehrere wasserdichte Schotten.
The submarine has several watertight bulkheads.
In the literal sense, 'das Schott' (the bulkhead) is often used with the verbs 'schließen' (to close), 'öffnen' (to open), or 'abdichten' (to seal).
Die Crew schloss die Schotten, um das Feuer einzudämmen.
The crew closed the bulkheads to contain the fire.
The idiom 'die Schotten dichtmachen' (to shut oneself off) means to isolate oneself completely and break off contact with the outside world. The verb 'dichtmachen' (to seal/shut) is a fixed part of the expression here.
Er antwortet nicht auf Anrufe oder E-Mails; er hat die Schotten komplett dichtgemacht.
He doesn't answer calls or emails; he has completely shut himself off.
