# cast about for

CEFR C1 · Phrasal verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cast-about-for
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

to look around quickly or desperately for something you need, like an idea, an excuse, or a physical object.

For teachers: to search frantically or widely for something, often an intangible resource such as an explanation, a solution, or a justification.

## Examples

- He cast about for an excuse to leave the boring meeting.
- When the interviewer asked a difficult question, the candidate cast about for the right words to respond.
- As the company's stock price plummeted, the executive board cast about for a strategy that might restore investor confidence before the quarterly report.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He casted about for his keys." but "He cast about for his keys." — the past tense of 'cast' is 'cast', not 'casted'.

## Usage notes

- often used with abstract nouns like 'reasons', 'excuses', or 'support'.
- Teaching tip: the verb 'cast' comes from fishing or hunting contexts; imagine a fisherman throwing a line in different directions to find a fish.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.