cast off
phrasal verb·1 sense·particle off
Meanings
Get rid of something that has been holding you back
Why “off”? Something had a hold on you — a punishment, a fear, a restriction. The hold breaks, and you slip away free.
“She cast off her doubts and applied.”
“He cast off his old habits.”
Don't confuse with
Cast off means get rid of something that has been holding you back. Cast aside means reject someone or something that you no longer want.
Test yourself
“She cast off her doubts and applied.” What does it mean?
Nearby in the meaning map
Sink In connects verbs by particle pattern, contrast pairs, and shared base verbs.
cast aside
A contrast learners often mix up
Reject someone or something that you no longer want
get off
Same off pattern: escape
Leave a bus, train or plane; Finish work for the day; Escape punishment
let off
Same off pattern: escape
Not punish someone, despite a wrongdoing
throw off
Same off pattern: escape
Successfully escape from something restricting
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