What Does “Cast sth out” Mean?
“Cast sth out” means to throw something away or remove it completely. It often refers to getting rid of something unwanted or harmful.
Introduction
The phrase “cast sth out” is a phrasal verb commonly used in English to describe the action of throwing something away or banishing it. The “sth” stands for “something,” meaning you can replace it with any object you want to talk about. The cast sth out meaning involves removing or discarding something deliberately, often for good reasons such as cleanliness, safety, or emotional relief. This phrase is useful in both everyday conversations and formal contexts, especially when discussing the removal of physical objects, feelings, or even ideas. Understanding how to use “cast sth out” correctly will help you express the act of getting rid of something clearly and naturally.
Quick Info Box
- Phrasal verb: cast something out
- Type: transitive
- Level: B2 (Upper-Intermediate)
- Meaning: to throw away or remove something completely
Structure (Grammar Rules)
“Cast sth out” is a separable phrasal verb, which means you can place the object either between “cast” and “out” or after the entire phrase.
- cast something out
- cast out something
For example:
- She cast the old clothes out.
- She cast out the old clothes.
How to Use “Cast sth out”?
You use “cast sth out” when you want to talk about getting rid of something physically or metaphorically. It can refer to throwing away trash, removing bad habits, or even banishing evil spirits in a literary or religious context. The phrase often implies a complete and intentional removal rather than a casual disposal.
Examples
- The villagers cast out the evil spirits from the haunted house.
- He decided to cast out all negative thoughts to focus on his goals.
- Please cast out the expired food from the fridge.
- She cast out the broken toys to make space for new ones.
- They cast out the old laws that no longer applied.
Here is “cast sth out” in a sentence: They cast out the unwanted papers to keep the desk tidy.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: She cast outed the rubbish.
- Correct: She cast out the rubbish.
- Incorrect: They cast outed all doubts.
- Correct: They cast out all doubts.
Remember, “cast” is the past tense and past participle of “cast.” Do not add “-ed” after “cast.”
Differences / Synonyms
Similar phrasal verbs include:
- Throw away: More casual, used mainly for physical objects.
- Get rid of: General phrase for removal, informal.
- Expel: Formal, often used for people or ideas.
“Cast sth out” is stronger and sometimes more formal or dramatic than “throw away,” especially when dealing with abstract things like spirits or emotions.
Common Collocations
- cast out evil spirits
- cast out rubbish
- cast out fears
- cast out old clothes
- cast out doubts
Related Phrasal Verbs
Here are related phrasal verbs of cast sth out:
Real-life Dialogue
Anna: I feel overwhelmed by all this clutter.
Ben: You should cast out the things you don’t need anymore.
Anna: Yes, I’ll cast out old papers and broken items this weekend.
Practice
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of “cast out”:
- They __________ the broken chairs from the hall.
- She wants to __________ all her bad memories.
- The priest __________ the evil spirit from the village.
FAQs
- What does “cast sth out” mean? It means to throw away or remove something completely.
- Is “cast sth out” formal or informal? It is more formal and often used in serious or literary contexts.
- Can I use “cast out” with emotions? Yes, you can cast out feelings like fear or doubt.
- Is “cast out” separable? Yes, you can put the object between “cast” and “out” or after the phrase.
- What is the difference between “cast out” and “throw away”? “Cast out” is more formal and sometimes dramatic, while “throw away” is casual.
