cast

cast — 動詞

1. to choose actors for the characters of a stage or screen production, or to selec

1.動詞及物C2
釋義

選角

挑選演員飾演某個角色

to choose actors for the characters of a stage or screen production, or to select every performer needed for that production.

例句

The director cast a young actor from Seoul in the lead role.

導演選了一位來自首爾的年輕演員來飾演主角。

cast [actor] in [role]

After months of searching, the producers cast Arjun as the villain.

經過數月的尋找，製作人選了 Arjun 飾演反派角色。

cast [actor] as [character]

同義詞
  • choose

    more general; 'choose' does not specifically refer to theatrical selection

  • select

    more formal; equally neutral about the domain

  • appoint

    suggests a formal, official decision rather than an artistic one

文法句型

cast + actor + as + role

cast + actor + in + role

be + cast as + role

用法筆記

Frequently used in the passive ('She was cast as the hero') or in the pattern 'cast [actor] in/as [role].' The direct object can be the production itself ('cast the film'), but more commonly it is the performer.

常見錯誤

❌The director cast him as the movie.
✅The director cast him as the hero in the movie.
💡'cast' with 'as' takes the role or character type, not the production name.
❌The director casted her in the lead role.
✅The director cast her in the lead role.
💡'cast' is irregular; the past form is 'cast', not 'casted'.

2. to make light, shade, or a glow appear on or across a surface.

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

投射

使光線或陰影落在某處

to make light, shade, or a glow appear on or across a surface.

例句

The setting sun cast long shadows across the garden wall.

夕陽在花園牆上投下了長長的影子。

cast + shadow + across [surface]

A single reading lamp cast a warm glow over the old wooden desk.

一盞閱讀燈在老舊的木桌上投下一道溫暖的光芒。

cast + glow

同義詞
  • throw

    more informal; 'throw light' is common but 'throw a shadow' is rarer than 'cast a shadow'

  • project

    more technical; often used for projected images rather than natural light

反義詞
  • absorb

    opposite action; a surface that absorbs light does not cast it

文法句型

cast + [light/shadow] + prepositional phrase

用法筆記

The direct object is nearly always a light-related noun: 'light,' 'shadow,' 'glow,' 'darkness,' 'shade.' Frequently followed by a prepositional phrase with 'on,' 'over,' 'across,' or 'into' that tells where the light or shadow falls. This sense is typically literal; for the metaphorical use, see sense 3.

常見錯誤

❌The lamp casted a shadow on the wall.
✅The lamp cast a shadow on the wall.
💡'cast' is irregular; past tense is 'cast', not 'casted'.

3. to provide information or an explanation that helps people understand a difficul

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

闡明

提供資訊使某事更易理解

to provide information or an explanation that helps people understand a difficult situation, problem, or mystery.

例句

The old letters cast new light on what happened before the war.

那些舊信件為戰前發生的事情提供了新的線索。

cast light on [topic]

Brooke's research could cast light on why some children develop the allergy.

Brooke 的研究可能有助於解釋為什麼有些孩子會對那種物質過敏。

同義詞
  • clarify

    more direct; 'cast light on' is more idiomatic and descriptive

  • explain

    simpler and broader; 'cast light on' suggests revealing something previously hidden

  • illuminate

    more formal; shares the visual metaphor of 'light'

反義詞
  • obscure

    to make something harder to understand, the opposite of explaining

  • confuse

    to cause misunderstanding rather than clarity

文法句型

cast + light + on + [topic]

用法筆記

Only used in the fixed phrase 'cast light on' (or the more common variant 'shed light on'). The object of 'on' is always the thing being explained — a mystery, situation, problem, or question. Never used transitively with a direct object outside this phrase pattern.

常見錯誤

❌The report cast light the problem.
✅The report cast light on the problem.
💡the preposition 'on' is required after 'light' in this phrase.
❌The discovery cast a light on the case.
✅The discovery cast light on the case.
💡when used metaphorically, 'light' is usually uncountable (no article).

4. to direct a look, smile, or other expression toward someone or something with a

4.動詞及物B2
釋義

投向

將目光或表情朝某方向送去

to direct a look, smile, or other expression toward someone or something with a particular feeling.

例句

Élise cast a worried look at her brother as the storm grew louder.

Élise 擔憂地看了她哥哥一眼，此時暴風雨越來越猛烈。

cast a [adjective] look at [person]

The teacher cast a suspicious glance around the exam room.

老師懷疑地掃視了一下考場。

同義詞
  • direct

    less idiomatic; 'direct a look at' is more neutral in register

  • turn

    simpler; 'turn a look toward' is common but less vivid

文法句型

cast + [a look/glance/smile] + at/toward/around + [person/place]

用法筆記

The direct object is always a word for an expression or look: 'look,' 'glance,' 'smile,' 'eye.' The feeling carried by the look is described by an adjective before that noun. Typically followed by a preposition like 'at,' 'toward,' 'around,' or 'over.' Distinguish from sense 5, which specifically means a quick examination of a document or object.

常見錯誤

❌ 'She cast him a suspicious look.' — This pattern (indirect object + direct object) is actually acceptable in informal English, though 'She cast a suspicious look at him' is more standard in writing.

5. to give a brief, hasty look at something such as a written page, without reading

5.動詞及物B2
釋義

瞥一眼

快速地看一下以略知大概

to give a brief, hasty look at something such as a written page, without reading it carefully.

例句

Could you cast an eye over my essay before I hand it in tomorrow?

你能幫我大致看一下我的論文嗎？明天要交。

cast an eye over [document]

Sumin cast a quick glance at the report and spotted two errors.

Sumin 快速掃了一眼報告，發現了兩個錯誤。

cast a quick glance at [thing]

同義詞
  • glance at

    simpler and more common in everyday speech

  • scan

    suggests looking for specific information rather than a casual look

  • skim

    specifically about reading quickly without full attention

反義詞
  • study

    to look at something with full attention and care

  • examine

    to inspect thoroughly, the opposite of a quick look

文法句型

cast + an eye + over + [document]

cast + a glance + at/over + [thing]

用法筆記

Common in the fixed phrases 'cast an eye over' and 'cast a glance at/over.' The object of the preposition is what gets examined — never the direct object of 'cast.' Distinguish from sense 4: sense 4 is about directing an expression with feeling toward someone, while sense 5 is about a quick, practical examination of something.

常見錯誤

❌Please cast an eye the contract before you sign.
✅Please cast an eye over the contract before you sign.
💡the preposition 'over' (or 'at') is required after 'eye'.

6. to send video, audio, or other media from a computer, phone, or tablet to a scre

6.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

投放

透過無線連接將影音傳至其他裝置

to send video, audio, or other media from a computer, phone, or tablet to a screen or speaker over a wireless connection.

例句

Dewi cast the movie from her phone to the living room television.

Dewi 把電影從手機投放到客廳的電視上。

cast [content] from [device] to [device]

The app lets you cast photos directly to any screen in the house.

這個應用程式可以讓你把照片直接投放到家裡的任何螢幕上。

同義詞
  • stream

    broader term; 'stream' can mean play over the internet, while 'cast' specifically suggests sending from one device to another nearby

  • send

    simpler but less specific; does not imply the wireless screen-mirroring technology

文法句型

cast + [content] + to + [device]

cast + to + [device]

用法筆記

Can be used transitively ('cast the video to the TV') or intransitively ('The app casts easily'). The preposition 'to' introduces the receiving device. Common in technology contexts and growing in everyday use. The past form remains 'cast' ('She cast the video yesterday'), not 'casted.'

常見錯誤

❌I casted the video to my TV.
✅I cast the video to my TV.
💡'cast' is irregular; the past form is always 'cast' regardless of sense.
❌Cast the video on the TV.
✅Cast the video to the TV.
💡in the technology sense, 'to' is the standard preposition indicating the destination device.

7. to send something through the air in a particular direction, often with a quick

7.動詞及物B2
釋義

投；拋

用力向某個方向扔出

to send something through the air in a particular direction, often with a quick movement of the arm

例句

Justin cast the fishing net into the dark water and waited.

Justin 將漁網拋入暗色的水中，然後等待。

cast + noun + into [place]

Tamar cast a pebble at the window to get her friend's attention.

Tamar 往窗戶扔了一顆小石子，想引起朋友的注意。

cast + noun + at [target]

同義詞
  • throw

    more common in everyday speech; less formal

  • toss

    suggests a lighter or gentler throw

  • hurl

    implies throwing with great force

反義詞
  • catch

    to receive and hold something that has been thrown

文法句型

cast + noun + adverb/preposition

用法筆記

More formal and literary than throw. The direction must be stated using a preposition such as into, at, across, or toward.

常見錯誤

❌I casted the net into the water.
✅I cast the net into the water.
💡Cast is an irregular verb; its past form is cast, not casted.

8. to throw a fishing line or net into the water in order to catch fish

8.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

拋線

將釣線或漁網拋入水中

to throw a fishing line or net into the water in order to catch fish

例句

Sahil stood at the riverbank and cast his line into the flowing current.

Sahil 站在河岸邊，將釣線拋進流動的河水裡。

cast + possessive + line + into [place]

Hamza taught his nephew how to cast without making too much noise.

Hamza 教他的姪子如何安靜地拋線。

intransitive use: cast without an object

文法句型

cast + noun (line / net)

cast for + fish type

用法筆記

Can be used without an object when the context clearly refers to fishing: 'He cast and waited for a bite.'

9. to cause people to begin questioning the truth, value, or honesty of a particula

9.動詞及物C2
釋義

使懷疑

讓人對某事或某人產生質疑

to cause people to begin questioning the truth, value, or honesty of a particular thing or person

例句

The new evidence cast doubt on the witness's statement.

新證據使人對證人的說詞產生懷疑。

fixed expression: cast doubt on [noun]

Manuela's financial report cast doubt on the company's future.

Manuela 的財務報告讓人對公司的未來產生疑問。

同義詞
  • question

    more direct; can be used in face-to-face conversation

  • challenge

    suggests active opposition, not merely uncertainty

反義詞
  • confirm

    to show that something is definitely true or correct

文法句型

cast doubt on + noun phrase

用法筆記

Almost always used in the fixed expression cast doubt on/upon + noun phrase. No article a or the is used before doubt in this pattern.

常見錯誤

❌The report cast a doubt on his story.
✅The report cast doubt on his story.
💡No article is used before doubt in this fixed expression.

10. to deliberately bring to mind a memory or event from the past

10.動詞及物C2
釋義

回憶

努力回想過去的事情

to deliberately bring to mind a memory or event from the past

例句

Mayumi cast her mind back to her first day at the new school.

Mayumi 回想她到新學校的第一天。

fixed expression: cast your mind back to [time]

Justin cast back to the summer when they had first met.

Justin 回想起他們初次相遇的那個夏天。

short form: cast back to [event]

同義詞
  • recall

    more common and direct; does not imply mental effort

  • recollect

    more formal; suggests deliberate effort to remember

反義詞
  • forget

    to no longer be able to remember something

文法句型

cast your mind back to + time

cast back to + event

用法筆記

Commonly used in the fixed phrases cast your mind back (to) or cast back to. The object is typically mind, thoughts, or memory.

常見錯誤

❌He casted his mind back to his childhood.
✅He cast his mind back to his childhood.
💡The past tense of cast is cast, never casted.

11. to formally record a selection for a candidate or party in an election

11.動詞及物C2
釋義

投（票）

在選舉中正式投票

to formally record a selection for a candidate or party in an election

例句

Hamza cast his vote for the candidate who promised better schools.

Hamza 把票投給了承諾改善學校的那位候選人。

collocation: cast your vote for [candidate]

Quan was the first in his family to cast a ballot in a national election.

Quan 是家族中第一個在全國選舉中投票的人。

collocation: cast a ballot

同義詞
  • vote

    more common and less formal; can be used as a verb directly

  • ballot

    can be used as a verb meaning to vote by ballot

文法句型

cast your vote for + person/party

cast a ballot

用法筆記

More formal than vote. Very common in news reporting and official election contexts. The noun following cast is usually vote or ballot.

12. to create a solid object from metal by heating it until it becomes liquid, then

12.動詞及物B2
釋義

鑄造

將金屬熔化後倒入模具成型

to create a solid object from metal by heating it until it becomes liquid, then pouring the liquid into a container that has the shape you want

例句

Mathieu learned to cast bronze in the workshop behind his house.

Mathieu 在他家後面的工作室學習鑄造青銅。

transitive: cast + metal type

The factory casts iron pipes for the local water system.

這間工廠鑄造鐵管，供應當地的自來水系統。

passive use: be cast for [purpose]

同義詞
  • mold

    focuses on shaping a material, not limited to metal

  • forge

    involves heating and hammering, not pouring into a mold

文法句型

cast + noun (material)

cast + noun (object) from + material

cast in + material

用法筆記

The direct object can be either the finished object (cast a statue) or the material (cast bronze). Common preposition patterns: cast from (material), cast in (material).

常見錯誤

❌The artist casted a bronze statue.
✅The artist cast a bronze statue.
💡Past tense of cast in this sense is also cast, not casted.

13. to speak special words that are believed to have supernatural power, usually in

13.動詞及物C2
釋義

施咒

說魔法詞語以產生效果

to speak special words that are believed to have supernatural power, usually in order to make something good or bad happen to someone or something

例句

The old woman claimed she could cast a spell to bring the family good luck.

那位老婦人聲稱她能施一道咒語，為這家人帶來好運。

cast + a spell (most common collocation)

A powerful curse was cast on the village by the angry witch in the story.

故事中，憤怒的女巫對村莊施咒，降下強大的詛咒。

passive: be cast + on + place/person

同義詞
  • conjure

    suggests creating something from nothing by magic, rather than speaking words

  • enchant

    specifically means putting someone under a spell, often with a romantic or positive connotation

  • bewitch

    similar to enchant but often carries a more negative or controlling sense

文法句型

cast + object (a spell, a curse, a charm, magic)

cast + object + on/over + someone

用法筆記

The direct object is almost always a noun that names a specific type of magic — such as 'spell', 'curse', or 'charm'. Using 'cast magic' alone is much less common and sounds unnatural to many native speakers.

常見錯誤

❌The magician cast a magic on the audience.
✅The magician cast a spell on the audience.
💡'cast' needs a specific magical effect (spell, curse, charm) as its object, not the general word 'magic'.

14. when a snake, lizard, or similar reptile sheds the worn covering on its body as

14.動詞及物C1
釋義

蛻皮

爬蟲類自然脫落外層舊皮

when a snake, lizard, or similar reptile sheds the worn covering on its body as part of its natural growth cycle

例句

The snake cast its skin for the first time since arriving at the zoo.

這條蛇自來到動物園後首次蛻皮。

snake + cast + its skin (standard collocation)

A healthy python will cast its skin every few months while it grows.

健康的蟒蛇在成長過程中每幾個月就會蛻皮一次。

同義詞
  • shed

    a more general term for losing hair, skin, feathers, or leaves naturally

  • molt

    a more technical/formal term for shedding skin, feathers, or a shell as part of a natural cycle

反義詞
  • retain

    to keep or hold on to something rather than losing it

文法句型

cast + possessive determiner + skin

用法筆記

Only used for reptiles and similar animals (snakes, lizards, geckos). For mammals shedding fur or birds shedding feathers, use 'shed' or 'molt' instead.

常見錯誤

❌The dog cast its fur all over the sofa.
✅The dog shed its fur all over the sofa.
💡'cast' for skin-shedding is only used for reptiles, not mammals.

cast — 名詞