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cast about

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cast about (for something)

to try to find something She spent years casting about for a career before she opened her own restaurant.

Etymology: based on the idea of someone who fishes by casting ( throwing) a line or net in first one pool of water and then another

See also: cast

cast about

1. Also, cast around. Seek, make a search, as in We cast about for the necessary tools, but couldn't find them in the garage. [Late 1600s]

2. Devise means, contrive, as in They cast about for new ways to increase revenue. This usage was first recorded in 1867.

See also: cast