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Antonyms for cast loose

Grammar : Verb
Spell : loos
Phonetic Transcription : lus

Definition of cast loose

Origin :
  • early 13c., "not securely fixed;" c.1300, "unbound," from Old Norse lauss "loose, free, vacant, dissolute," cognate with Old English leas "devoid of, false, feigned, incorrect," from Proto-Germanic *lausaz (cf. Danish løs "loose, untied," Swedish lös "loose, movable, detached," Middle Dutch, German los "loose, free," Gothic laus "empty, vain"), from PIE *leu- "to loosen, divide, cut apart" (see lose). Meaning "not clinging, slack" is mid-15c. Meaning "not bundled" is late 15c. Sense of "unchaste, immoral" is recorded from late 15c. Meaning "at liberty, free from obligation" is 1550s. Sense of "rambling, disconnected" is from 1680s. Figurative sense of loose cannon was in use by 1896, probably from celebrated image in a popular story by Hugo:
  • You can reason with a bull dog, astonish a bull, fascinate a boa, frighten a tiger, soften a lion; no resource with such a monster as a loose cannon. You cannot kill it, it is dead; and at the same time it lives. It lives with a sinister life which comes from the infinite. It is moved by the ship, which is moved by the sea, which is moved by the wind. This exterminator is a plaything. [Victor Hugo, "Ninety Three"]
  • Loose end in reference to something unfinished, undecided, unguarded is from 1540s; to be at loose ends is from 1807. Phrase on the loose "free, unrestrained" is from 1749 (upon the loose).
  • As in release : verb let go, let out
Example sentences :
  • Cast loose the stern-chaser and fire her at yon varlet if he makes a move.
  • Extract from : « The Lady and the Pirate » by Emerson Hough
  • The Carondelet cast loose and steamed slowly down the river.
  • Extract from : « From Fort Henry to Corinth » by Manning Ferguson Force
  • He cast loose the painter of the launch, and with all his strength shoved it clear.
  • Extract from : « The White Mice » by Richard Harding Davis
  • There was not time to raise steam—only to cast loose the guns for action.
  • Extract from : « Admiral Farragut » by A. T. Mahan
  • There was nothing for it but to cast loose and run before the wind.
  • Extract from : « The Story of the Rock » by R.M. Ballantyne
  • We ran into the water, and cast loose the body; but our undertaking had been useless.
  • Extract from : « A Voyage round the World » by W.H.G. Kingston
  • Saunders, slip out and cast loose the fore topmast staysail.
  • Extract from : « Overdue » by Harry Collingwood
  • It was splendid work; and from the first order, ‘Cast loose!’
  • Extract from : « Young Tom Bowling » by J.C. Hutcheson
  • When this is done, the carcase is cast loose, and the head is emptied, and let go also.
  • Extract from : « Taking Tales » by W.H.G. Kingston
  • “Cast loose that shovel from under the thwart, Brace, my lad,” he said.
  • Extract from : « Old Gold » by George Manville Fenn

Synonyms for cast loose

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019