CAST ABOUT/AROUND FOR – to search for or think of the right thing to say or do especially when it must be done quickly
Translators and interpreters usually face the problem of casting about for an appropriate word or phrase in the target language to convey the idea of the original text.
CAST ASIDE – 1) to get rid of something or someone you don’t need, want or consider valuable; 2) to physically push or move something out of your way
Casting aside (1) toxic friends, just like casting aside (2) some trash from a path, can help you clean up your life.
CAST OFF – 1) to get rid of something or someone you don’t need, want or consider valuable; 2) to untie the ropes that hold the boat in position and sail away
Sometimes he dreamed of casting off (1) his title, which was a huge burden for him, just to cast off (2) a small boat to head towards adventures.
CAST OUT – to expel, ostracize someone
Whatever! I won’t make any efforts to join any club because sooner or later I’ll be cast out from whatever club I choose... except, maybe, the 27 Club, ahaha.
CAST UP – 1) to throw something or someone ashore (about a sea); 2) to calculate and make a total
The waves cast up (1) the flotsam and jetsam after the shipwreck.
Frankly speaking, after casting the losses up (2) I realized that we were totally screwed up.
CAST AWAY – 1) to be abandoned or left somewhere after a shipwreck; 2) to throw away
If you remember the story about Robinson who was cast away (1) on a desert island, you should also understand that it’s better not to cast seemingly unuseful things away (2).
Test your knowledge of phrasal verbs with 'cast' here: