Antonyms for make fast

Grammar : Verb

Spell : meyk

Phonetic Transcription : meɪk

Definition of make fast

Origin : Old English macian "to make, form, construct, do; prepare, arrange, cause; behave, fare, transform," from West Germanic *makon "to fashion, fit" (cf. Old Saxon makon, Old Frisian makia "to build, make," Middle Dutch and Dutch maken, Old High German mahhon "to construct, make," German machen "to make"), from PIE *mag- "to knead, mix; to fashion, fit" (see macerate). If so, sense evolution perhaps is via prehistoric houses built of mud. Gradually replaced the main Old English word, gewyrcan (see work (v.)).
Meaning "to arrive at" (a place), first attested 1620s, originally was nautical. Formerly used in many places where specific verbs now are used, e.g. to make Latin (c.1500) "to write Latin compositions." This broader usage survives in some phrases, e.g. to make water "to urinate," to make a book "arrange a series of bets" (1828), make hay "to turn over mown grass to expose it to sun." Make the grade is 1912, perhaps from the notion of railway engines going up an incline.
Read the valuable suggestions in Dr. C.V. Mosby's book -- be prepared to surmount obstacles before you encounter them -- equipped with the power to "make the grade" in life's climb. [advertisement for "Making the Grade," December 1916]
But the phrase also was in use in a schoolwork context at the time. Make do "manage with what is available" is attested from 1867. Make time "go fast" is 1849; make tracks in this sense is from 1834. To make a federal case out of (something) popularized in 1959 movie "Anatomy of a Murder;" to make an offer (one) can't refuse is from Mario Puzo's 1969 novel "The Godfather." To make (one's) day is from 1909; menacing make my day is from 1971, popularized by Clint Eastwood in film "Sudden Impact" (1983). Related: Made; making.

As in latch : verb fasten with lock
As in moor : verb anchor, fasten securely
As in attach : verb join, fasten
As in peg : verb attach
As in secure : verb attach, tie up
As in set : verb position, place
As in spike : verb pierce
As in tie : verb connect, interlace
As in clamp : verb fasten
As in clinch : verb hold securely; grab
As in subjoin : verb attach
As in hitch : verb join, fasten

Example sentences :

One of the men crept across, and assisted Gonzaga to make fast his end.
Extract from : « Love-at-Arms » by Raphael Sabatini

The instant he lets up, catch that flank girth and make fast.
Extract from : « The Pony Rider Boys in Texas » by Frank Gee Patchin

Buck and Hop were to stand by the hawsers by which we were to make fast to the Islander.
Extract from : « Up the River » by Oliver Optic

Nejdanov thought of the rope that is flung to the quay to make fast a ship.
Extract from : « Virgin Soil » by Ivan S. Turgenev

Well, toss us your painter, and tell the other boat to make fast to your stern.
Extract from : « Jim Spurling, Fisherman » by Albert Walter Tolman

Shake up, you gibbering fools; luff her a bit and make fast.
Extract from : « The Iron Pirate » by Max Pemberton

Make fast the painter—there; get your arms now, boys, and follow me.
Extract from : « The Lonely Island » by R.M. Ballantyne

For us to draw in here and make fast, then you can stand in the bight like a stirrup.
Extract from : « Sail Ho! » by George Manville Fenn

"Catch it and make fast to something," he cried, as the rope fell.
Extract from : « A Voyage with Captain Dynamite » by Charles Edward Rich

Haul out the reef-tackles, make fast, and haul taut the buntlines.
Extract from : « The Seaman's Friend » by Richard Henry Dana

Synonyms for make fast

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