cast a spell on (someone or something)
1. Literally, to induce the effects of a magic spell on someone or something, as in a fantasy story or film. My kids love this movie—it's about a group of animals that must work together to cast a spell on their forest in order to protect it. The wizard's acting strange now too? Oh boy, someone cast a spell on him too, huh? A: "Wait, Danny's a frog now?" B: "Yes, Daddy, that mean man cast a spell on him."
2. By extension, to charm, enthrall, or otherwise captivate one. That girl must have really cast a spell on you if you're calling her already. It seems that the new CEO has cast a spell on the board, because they're endorsing all of his plans. The actors really cast a spell on the audience because they were totally enthralled as they watched the performance.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
cast a spell
(on someone) 1. Lit. to enchant someone with a magic spell. The wizard cast a spell on the frog, turning it into a prince with bad skin.
2. Fig. to intrigue and delight someone. She is a real beauty. She cast a spell on every man she met.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.