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Glite Dictionary
to cast anchor

to cast anchor

1 3.1
To lower an anchor from a boat or ship to hold it in place
  • phrasal verb
  • /kæst ˈæŋkər/
translation icon : echar ancla
  • Once we could no longer see the seabed, we cast anchor to keep the boat stable.

Examples

  • Silence, you dogs... ...or I'll cast anchor in you.

    Peter Pan (2003)

  • When we cast anchor at Tornabay, the harbormaster said we'd have to move her or no business would get done on the waterfront.

    Fiction book (1994)

  • When we cast anchor in the calm bay, we felt safe to relax and enjoy our picnic.

  • The captain decided to cast anchor near the island so the crew could explore the shore.

Synonyms

to anchor
vsto cast anchor
51 3.4

To hold something in place so it does not move

refers specifically to lowering a heavy weight to hold a boat in place
to moor
vsto cast anchor
  • Specialized
11 5.1

To tie a boat so it does not move

describes securing mainly by ropes or cables rather than lowering a heavy weight
to drop anchor
vsto cast anchor
5 3.3

To lower an anchor to hold a boat in one place

is identical in meaning but uses a different traditional phrase

Antonyms

to set sail
25 2.9

To start a journey by boat or ship

Surface Forms

cast anchor infinitive
cast anchor past
cast anchor past participle
casting anchor present participle
casts anchor third person singular

Morphology

cast + anchor

The meaning 'to lower or drop an anchor' is directly and compositionally derivable from 'cast' (to throw/send) plus 'anchor' (the mooring device). This straightforward verb + object maritime action follows normal English composition patterns and has clear parallels in other languages, so a B1 learner who knows both words would readily infer the meaning.

Etymology

The verb cast anchor comes from sailors dropping a heavy anchor off the side of a ship. They would cast the anchor into the water so the ship stayed in one spot. So, cast anchor means 'to lower an anchor' or 'to stop and stay in place'.