What does “cast” mean in English?

Mastering phrasal verbs is an essential part of learning English. They occur frequently in both spoken and written language, so understanding their meanings and usage is crucial for effective communication. In this article, we’ll explore phrasal verbs with the word “cast.” The word “cast” has several meanings in English. Let’s look at some of them:

Group of actors – For example: “The cast of the play was excellent.”
To throw – For example: “She cast the stone into the lake.”
To discard or throw away – For example: “He cast aside his old clothes.”
Plaster cast – For example: “She had a cast on her arm.”

Phrasal verbs with “cast”

Cast about for (to search for, to try to find)

Meaning: To search for something or try to find a solution to a problem. This phrasal verb is often used in a more general or abstract sense.
Example: “He cast about for a solution to the problem.”

Cast aside (to discard, to reject)

Meaning: To reject or discard something as unnecessary.
Example: “He cast aside his old clothes.”

Cast away (to throw away, to discard)

Meaning: To throw away or discard something as unnecessary.
Example: “She cast away her broken toys.”

Cast back (to remind, to go back in time)

Meaning: To remind of something from the past or to go back to old memories.
Example: “The old photo cast her back to her childhood.”

Cast down (to deject, to depress)

Meaning: To deject or depress someone’s mood or spirits.
Example: “The news of the accident cast him down.”

Cast off (to get rid of, to release)

Meaning: To get rid of or release something or someone.
Example: “She cast off her doubts and moved forward.”

Cast out (to expel, to exclude)

Meaning: To expel or exclude someone or something from a place or group.
Example: “The group cast out the traitor.”

Cast up (to calculate, to compute)

Meaning: To calculate or compute something.
Example: “He cast up the expenses for the month.”

Cast up (to be washed ashore)

Meaning: To wash ashore, usually referring to the sea or waves.
Example: “The waves cast up a lot of seaweed on the shore.”

Cast round for (to search for, to try to find)

Meaning: To search for or try to find something, similar in meaning to “cast about for.” This variant is less common and is used primarily in British English. The meaning and usage are very similar to “cast around for.”
Example: “She cast round for a pen to write down the address.”

Cast around for (to search for, to try to find)

Meaning: To search for or try to find something. To actively search for something or someone, often in various places. It’s often used to describe a more intensive and active process of searching.
Example: “She cast around for her keys in every room.”

Cast down upon (to look down upon, to regard with contempt)

Meaning: To look down upon someone or regard them with contempt.
Example: “They cast down upon his humble beginnings.”

Cast in (to add, to include)

Meaning: To add something or include something in something.
Example: “They cast in their lot with the rebels.”

Cast off from (to sail away from, to leave)

Meaning: To sail away from or leave something.
Example: “The boat cast off from the shore.”

Cast on (to begin, to cast on stitches in knitting)

Meaning: To begin something or to cast on stitches in knitting.
Example: “She cast on 30 stitches.”

Cast over (to glance over, to scan)

Meaning: To glance over or scan something.
Example: “He cast over the document quickly.”

Cast down into (to throw into, to plunge into)

Meaning: To throw something or someone into something.
Example: “They cast him down into the pit.”

Cast for (to search for, to try to find an actor for a role)

Meaning: To search for or try to find an actor for a particular role.
Example: “The director is casting for the lead role.”

Phrasal verbs with “cast” are frequently used in English, and understanding their meanings is crucial for effective communication. Memorize these phrasal verbs and try to incorporate them into your language. This will greatly expand your vocabulary and improve your English language proficiency.

Phrasal verbs with “cast” in English