drop anchor
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- secure a vessel with an anchor
- We anchored at Baltimore