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cast back

C1 formal inseparable intransitive
In simple words

To try to remember something that happened in the past.

Literal meaning: To cast (throw) one's gaze or thoughts backward in time.

Meanings

1 C1 idiomatic formal

To direct your memory or thoughts to a past time; to recall.

"Casting back to her university days, she remembered how carefree everything had felt."

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Literary and somewhat old-fashioned. Usually used with 'to' or 'over': 'cast back to childhood' or 'cast one's mind back.' The phrase 'cast one's mind back' is more common than 'cast back' alone.

Commonly used with

memory mind childhood years past thoughts

Forms

Base
cast back
I/you/we/they
3rd person
casts back
he/she/it
Past simple
casted back
yesterday
Past participle
casted back
have + pp
-ing form
casting back
continuous

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Synonyms

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