cast anchor

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Thân thiện
Definition
  1. Verb:
    • To secure a vessel by lowering an anchor to the bottom of a body of water: This action stops the vessel from moving by using the anchor's weight and design to grip the seabed.
    • To bring a ship or boat to a stop and fix it in a particular place by means of an anchor: This is the specific nautical action denoted by the phrase.
Usage
  • The phrase "cast anchor" is a fixed expression, primarily used in nautical contexts. It describes the deliberate action of deploying an anchor.
  • It is typically used intransitively (e.g., "The ship cast anchor") or with a prepositional phrase indicating location (e.g., "We cast anchor in the bay").
  • It is a more formal or traditional synonym for the simpler verb "to anchor."
Examples
  • Verb:
    • The captain decided to cast anchor in the sheltered cove to wait out the storm.
    • After a long voyage, they finally cast anchor near the tropical island.
    • The old sailing vessel cast anchor just as the sun began to set.
Advanced Usage
  • "to cast anchor" vs. "to drop anchor": Both phrases are synonymous and interchangeable. "Cast anchor" can sound slightly more literary or traditional.
  • The phrase can be used metaphorically to mean to settle down or establish oneself in a place.
    • After years of traveling, he decided to cast anchor in a small coastal town.
Variants and Related Words
  • Anchor (verb): The more common, simpler verb with the same core meaning (e.g., ).
  • Drop anchor (verb phrase): A direct synonym for "cast anchor."
  • Weigh anchor (verb phrase): The opposite action; to raise the anchor in preparation for departure.
  • Anchorage (noun): A place suitable for anchoring a vessel.
Synonyms
  • Drop anchor: To let an anchor fall into the water to secure a vessel.
  • Moor: To secure a boat to a fixed object like a pier or a buoy (a related but technically different action).
  • Berth: To bring a ship into its assigned place at a dock.
Related Phrasal Verbs
  • Anchor down: An informal variant meaning to secure something firmly or to settle in a place.
    • We need to anchor down these documents before the wind blows them away. (Literal)
    • It's time to anchor down and focus on this project. (Figurative)
Related Idioms
  • To come to anchor: To arrive at a place and anchor. This is a state or result of the action "to cast anchor."
    • The fleet came to anchor in the harbor.
  • At anchor: Describing a vessel that is secured by an anchor.
    • The yacht was at anchor in the bay.
Verb
  1. secure a vessel with an anchor
    • We anchored at Baltimore

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