cast


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cast (some) light on (something)

To reveal information or details about something; to clarify or help people understand something. We've hired a private investigator to help cast light on the clandestine dealings of the baron. These documents we've uncovered cast some light on how the late author's final book was meant to end. I really hope the doctor can cast some light on Brian's sudden, erratic behavior.
See also: cast, light, on

cast (some) light upon (something)

To reveal information or details about something; to clarify or help people understand something. (A more formal version of "cast (some) light on something.") We've hired a private investigator to help cast light upon the clandestine dealings of the baron. These documents we've uncovered cast some light upon how the late author's final book was meant to end. I really hope the doctor can cast some light upon Brian's sudden, erratic behavior.
See also: cast, light, upon
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2024 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.

cast

/shed/throw light on
To provide information about or clarify (something).
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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References in classic literature ?
Your journalist, whether he takes charge of a ship or a fleet, almost invariably "casts" his anchor.
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Now for my own chance." He cast the dice in his turn.
Wardour prepared to cast, without shaking the dice.
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To those of the white race who look to the incoming of those of foreign birth and strange tongue and habits of the prosperity of the South, were I permitted I would repeat what I say to my own race: "Cast down your bucket where you are." Cast it down among the eight millions of Negroes whose habits you know, whose fidelity and love you have tested in days when to have proved treacherous meant the ruin of your firesides.
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While he was putting up the other cast and coming down from the chair, the thought crossed my mind that all his personal jewellery was derived from like sources.
"Pray," said I, as the two odious casts with the twitchy leer upon them caught my sight again, "whose likenesses are those?"
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All these and more came flocking; but with looks Down cast and damp, yet such wherein appear'd Obscure som glimps of joy, to have found thir chief Not in despair, to have found themselves not lost In loss it self; which on his count'nance cast Like doubtful hue: but he his wonted pride Soon recollecting, with high words, that bore Semblance of worth not substance, gently rais'd Their fainted courage, and dispel'd their fears.
As when bands Of Pioners with Spade and Pickaxe arm'd Forerun the Royal Camp, to trench a Field, Or cast a Rampart.
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The Bayonnaise cast her anchor before Vanikoro some months after the departure of the Astrolabe, but found no new document; but stated that the savages had respected the monument to La Perouse.
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Quasimodo was barely conscious of a soul cast in his own image, moving blindly within him.
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This William of ours is a stout man, too, and never have I seen him cast in the ring before, albeit he hath not yet striven with such great wrestlers as Thomas of Cornwall, Diccon of York, and young David of Doncaster.
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Thus, once on a time, did I also cast my fancy beyond man, like all backworldsmen.
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The stairs likewise to the upper rooms, let them be upon a fair open newel, and finely railed in, with images of wood, cast into a brass color; and a very fair landing-place at the top.
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The doctor cast a rapid glance upwards and silently shrugged his shoulders.
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As it is evident that my people have advised me wrongly, I will not cast you three people into the dreadful Garden of the Clinging Vines; but your animals must be driven into the Black Pit in the mountain, for my subjects cannot bear to have them around."
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