cast down: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Literary, Formal
Quick answer
What does “cast down” mean?
To cause someone to feel sad, dejected, or dispirited.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To cause someone to feel sad, dejected, or dispirited; to lower in mood or spirit.
Literally, to throw something downwards; figuratively, to reduce someone's hope or confidence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in British literary texts, but equally understood in American English.
Connotations
Both carry the same core meaning. The British usage might be slightly more associated with religious or archaic contexts.
Frequency
Low frequency in contemporary speech for both variants; found more in writing.
Grammar
How to Use “cast down” in a Sentence
[Subject] cast [Object] down[Subject] is/feels cast down by [Cause]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cast down” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The gloomy weather cast him down.
American English
- The bad news really cast her down.
adverb
British English
- He stared cast down at the floor.
American English
- She walked cast down along the path.
adjective
British English
- He felt thoroughly cast down after the meeting.
American English
- She looked cast down when she heard the results.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. 'The team was cast down by the quarterly losses.'
Academic
Used in literary/historical analysis. 'The protagonist is cast down by a series of misfortunes.'
Everyday
Uncommon in casual conversation, sounds formal.
Technical
Not used in technical contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cast down”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cast down”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cast down”
- Using 'cast down' to mean physically throwing something (too literal).
- Confusing with 'put down' (to insult).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it's relatively uncommon in modern everyday speech and is considered more literary or formal.
Yes, but it's rare and poetic (e.g., 'cast down your weapons'). The figurative meaning is dominant.
'Cast down' describes a temporary state of low spirits, while 'depressed' can indicate a more severe or clinical condition.
Yes, it can be used separably ('The news cast him down') or as a predicative adjective ('He was cast down by the news').
To cause someone to feel sad, dejected, or dispirited.
Cast down is usually literary, formal in register.
Cast down: in British English it is pronounced /kɑːst daʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /kæst daʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Don't be cast down by one failure.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a theatre curtain being CAST DOWN at the end of a sad play, lowering the mood.
Conceptual Metaphor
LOW SPIRITS ARE PHYSICALLY DOWN / SADNESS IS BEING THROWN DOWN
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'cast down' correctly?