casting off
Shedding what binds
Casting off is releasing or letting go.
In knitting, it's the technique for finishing edges by removing stitches from the needle while securing them.
In sailing, it's releasing the lines that hold a boat to shore: We cast off at dawn.
More broadly, casting off means discarding or abandoning something unwanted: casting off old habits, casting off the constraints of her upbringing.
Losing outer covering
- releasingAllowing to escape
- letting goReleasing one's grasp
- unburdeningRelieving oneself of weight
- freeingReleasing from confinement
emancipation · unshackling · breaking free · abandoning · discarding · renouncing · relinquishing · detachment
Vessel's secured resting place
- anchorSecures ships to seabed
- dockMooring structure at water's edge
- harborSafe anchorage for ships
- sailShip's wind-catching fabric
embark · voyage · seafaring · ship · vessel · yacht · marina · helm
Beginning a voyage
- launchingSetting something in motion
- setting outBeginning a journey
- departureAct of going away
- startingInitiating an action
new chapter · fresh start · journey · threshold · outset · commencement · leaving · moving on
shedding
Losing outer covering
- releasingAllowing to escape
- letting goReleasing one's grasp
- unburdeningRelieving oneself of weight
freeing · emancipation · unshackling · breaking free · abandoning · discarding · renouncing · relinquishing · detachment · disentanglement
mooring
Vessel's secured resting place
sail · embark · voyage · seafaring · ship · vessel · yacht · marina · helm · bow
embarking
Beginning a voyage
- launchingSetting something in motion
- setting outBeginning a journey
- departureAct of going away
starting · new chapter · fresh start · journey · threshold · outset · commencement · leaving · moving on · transition
stitch
Thread loop in fabric
pattern · row · gauge · tension · loop · ribbing · stockinette · finishing · edge · selvage
- setting sailsetting sail, weighing anchor, putting to sea, undocking, embarking
- ship activitiessailing, cruise, voyage, departure, ship launch
- seamanshipseamanship, steering, anchoring, navigation, chartwork
- naval dutiesanchor watch, battle stations, damage control, general quarters, guard duty
- undressingundressing, disrobing, stripping, getting undressed, removing
- boating maneuverstacking, jibing, coming about, docking, mooring