casting-vote

Definition

Noun: A casting vote is a vote given to a chairperson or presiding officer to decide a matter when the votes of the other members are equally divided.

Usage Examples

Advanced Usage

• "to exercise a casting vote": to use one's authority to cast the deciding vote.

  • The speaker exercised her casting vote to approve the new policy. (She used her tie-breaking power.)

• "the casting vote decides": a phrase indicating that the matter is resolved by this single vote.

  • The outcome of the election depended on the casting vote of the chair. (The chair's vote was decisive.)

Variants and Related Words

• Casting-voice (n): an alternative term for casting vote, though less common.
  • The judge's casting-voice determined the verdict. (His vote broke the tie.)

Synonyms

• Tie-breaking vote: a vote that resolves a deadlock.
• Deciding vote: a vote that determines the outcome.

Related Idioms

• To have the casting vote: to possess the power to decide a tied vote.

  • As the committee head, she has the casting vote in all disputes. (She can break ties.)

• To cast the deciding ballot: to give the vote that ends a tie.

  • The mayor cast the deciding ballot on the budget proposal. (He gave the tie-breaking vote.)