cast aside

1. To physically move something that is blocking one's path. A noun or pronoun can be used between "cast" and "aside." Sorry there's so much junk in here right now—just cast those books aside and have a seat. I know you want to sit there, but don't just cast my clothes aside like that—they're gonna get wrinkled! I'd like to cast all these boxes aside, but they're just too heavy! Can you help me!

2. To ignore, overlook, or reject someone or something. A noun or pronoun can be used between "cast" and "aside." Of course I'm not trying to cast you aside, you're my best friend! I simply haven't had time to call you this week. To attempt that daring jump on your bike, you'll need to cast aside your fears. Once you become a parent, you might decide to delegate more of your tasks—or cast aside the title of CEO entirely.

See also: aside, cast

dispose of (someone or something)

1. To eliminate someone or something; to get rid of someone or something. The CEO is apt to dispose of any manager who does not agree with him all the time. After our basement flooded, we had to dispose of most of the boxes we'd stored down there. The mayor is quick to dispose of anyone in Town Hall who questions his decisions.

2. To settle or resolve something. Jean is the best editor in the writing center, so she'll definitely dispose of any issues in your paper. You're both excellent baseball players. Now, can we finally dispose of this argument once and for all? A: "You know, moving them to different cubicles is not going to dispose of their problems with each other." B: "No, but it buys me time to come up with a better game plan!"

3. To relocate, sell, or give something away. Once I move into the city, I'll need to dispose of my car. If you want to dispose of that table, post about it online—I'm sure someone would be willing to take it off your hands. I disposed of my old textbooks by giving them to underclassmen.

4. slang To kill someone. We need to dispose of the informant before he goes running to the police again. If you betray this guy, he won't think twice about having one of his thugs dispose of you! Don't worry, I'll dispose of that guy before he's ever able to out our operation.

See also: dispose, of

man proposes, and God disposes

Humans may come up with any number of ambitious or ingenious plans or ideas, but, ultimately, forces outside of our control determine whether they fail or succeed. The sinking of the Titanic, the supposedly unsinkable ship, shows better than perhaps anything else that while man proposes, and God disposes. We've given our very best to the project, and, at this point, it's up to fate whether things work out for us. Man proposes, and God disposes.

man proposes, but God disposes

Humans may come up with any number of ambitious or ingenious plans or ideas, but, ultimately, forces outside of our control determine whether they fail or succeed. The sinking of the Titanic, the supposedly unsinkable ship, shows better than perhaps anything else that while man proposes, but God disposes. We've given our very best to the project, and, at this point, it's up to fate whether things work out for us. Man proposes, but God disposes.

man proposes, God disposes

Humans may come up with any number of ambitious or ingenious plans or ideas, but, ultimately, forces outside of our control determine whether they fail or succeed. The sinking of the Titanic, the supposedly unsinkable ship, shows better than perhaps anything else that while man proposes, God disposes. We've given our very best to the project, and, at this point, it's up to fate whether things work out for us. Man proposes, God disposes.

cast someone aside

and cast someone off; cast someone away

Fig. to dispose of someone; to reject or discard someone. He simply cast his wife aside, and that was it.

See also: aside, cast

cast something aside

and cast something off; cast something away

to throw something away. You can't just cast aside a new coat that you've only worn once.

See also: aside, cast

dispose of someone

Sl. to kill someone. (See also dispose of someone or something.) Max suggested that he would dispose of Lefty if Lefty continued to be a pest. The boss ordered Max to dispose of Lefty.

See also: dispose, of

dispose of someone or something

to get rid of someone or something. (See also dispose of someone.) How can I dispose of this bothersome customer? Where shall I dispose of this wastepaper?

See also: dispose, of

Man proposes, God disposes.

Prov. People may make plans, but they cannot control the outcome of their plans. Jill: Are you really going to be able to finish writing your novel by the end of the year? Bob: Man proposes, God disposes.

dispose of

1. Attend to, settle, deal with, as in He quickly disposed of the problem. [Early 1600s]

2. Transfer, part with, as by giving away or selling. For example, They wanted to dispose of the land as soon as possible. [Second half of 1600s]

3. Get rid of, throw out, as in Can we dispose of the trash in this barrel? Oliver Goldsmith had this idiom in She Stoops to Conquer (1773): "I'm disposing of the husband before I have secured the lover." [Mid-1600s]

4. Kill or destroy; also, humorously, consume. For example, The king was determined to dispose of his enemies, or John disposed of the cake in no time. [Second half of 1800s]

See also: dispose, of

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer. Copyright © 2003, 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

cast aside

1. To throw or push something or someone out of the way: I cast my coat aside so that he could sit down. She cast aside the boxes in front of the door.

2. To reject or disregard something or someone: The commander cast aside all caution and ordered the troops to charge the fort. I knew you would cast me aside once you became famous.

See also: aside, cast

dispose of

1. To throw out or get rid of something: The government hired contractors to dispose of the nuclear waste.

2. To settle or attend to some problem, question, or situation: We quickly disposed of the problem before anyone found out.

3. To transfer or part with something, as by giving away or selling it: The bank disposed of its bad loans.

4. To kill or destroy someone: The dictator disposed of all his enemies.

See also: dispose, of

dispose of someone

in. to kill someone. The boss ordered Max to dispose of Lefty.