cast down
1. To throw something to the ground. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "cast" and "down." When she heard us mocking her, she cast down her book and stormed out of the room. Don't you dare cast down that vase and break it—it cost me hundreds of dollars! Oops, I cast down that doll and her leg popped off.
2. To lower something (typically one's gaze). Because my son is so shy, he usually casts down his eyes whenever he meets someone. After I saw my ex-girlfriend walk into the store, I immediately cast down my eyes and then ducked behind the magazine rack for good measure. Don't cast down your eyes when you walk into the interview room. Also, give the recruiter a nice, firm handshake.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
cast something down
to hurl or throw something down. She cast the glass down, breaking it into a thousand pieces. She cast down the tray and all that was on it.
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs. © 2002 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.
cast down
1. Throw down, hurl to the ground, as in She cast down her coat on the grass. [Late 1400s]
2. Bend down, lower, as in He cast down his eyes. [Late 1300s]
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.