Definition

1. Verb (intransitive):
   • To lower a ship's anchor into the water to hold the vessel in a fixed position.
   • To stop sailing and secure a boat or ship in place by using an anchor.

Usage

• This verb phrase describes the specific nautical action of stopping a vessel and making it stationary by deploying its anchor. It is used literally for ships and boats.
• It is typically used in the context of maritime travel, sailing, or boating.
• Grammar Note: It is an intransitive phrasal verb. It does not take a direct object (e.g., you "drop anchor," not "drop the anchor" in the core phrase, though "the" can be used for specificity).

Examples

• The captain decided to drop anchor in the sheltered bay for the night.
• After sailing all day, we found a beautiful cove and dropped anchor.
• The ship dropped anchor just outside the harbor to await clearance.

Advanced Usage

• "to drop the anchor": A more specific variant, often used when referring to the specific physical act or a particular anchor.
  • The first mate was ordered to drop the port anchor.
• Figurative Use: Sometimes used metaphorically to mean settling down or stopping in a place for a period.
  • After years of traveling, they decided to drop anchor in a small coastal town.

Variants and Related Words

• Anchor (verb): To secure a vessel with an anchor. (e.g., )
• Cast anchor: A near-synonymous phrase for dropping anchor.
• Weigh anchor: The opposite action; to lift the anchor in preparation for departure.

Synonyms

• Moor (though this often implies using ropes/lines in addition to or instead of an anchor)
• Make fast
• Berth (often in a designated port or slip)

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Anchor (something) (transitive): To secure an object firmly.
  • Anchor the tent securely in this strong wind.

Related Idioms

• Drop anchor: As mentioned in advanced usage, the figurative sense of settling down is idiomatic.
  • It's time to drop anchor and start a family.

Verb

1. secure a vessel with an anchor
   • We anchored at Baltimore