cast

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.
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.
See also: cast, light, upon
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

cast

/shed/throw light on
To provide information about or clarify (something).
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
See:
  • be cast in a (some kind of) mold
  • be cast in a mould
  • be cast in cement
  • be cast in concrete
  • be cast in the same mould
  • cast
  • cast (one) as (something)
  • cast (one's) bread upon the waters
  • cast (one's) eye(s) on (someone or something)
  • cast (one's) eyes down
  • cast (one's) lot in with (someone or something)
  • cast (one's) lot with (someone or something)
  • cast (one's) mind back
  • cast (one's) net wide
  • cast (one's) net wider
  • cast (one's) vote
  • cast (some) light on (something)
  • cast (some) light upon (something)
  • cast a glance
  • cast a long shadow
  • cast a pall on (something)
  • cast a pall over (something)
  • cast a pall upon, to
  • cast a shadow over (some place)
  • cast a shadow over (something)
  • cast a sheep's eye
  • cast a spell
  • cast a spell on (someone or something)
  • cast a veil over (something)
  • cast about
  • cast about for
  • cast about for (something)
  • cast adrift
  • cast an eye on (something)
  • cast an eye on something
  • cast an/(one's) eye over (something)
  • cast around
  • cast around for
  • cast around for (someone or something)
  • cast as
  • cast aside
  • cast aspersions
  • cast aspersions on
  • cast aspersions on (someone or something)
  • cast aspersions, to
  • cast away
  • cast back
  • cast beyond the moon
  • Cast bread upon the waters
  • cast doubt
  • cast doubt on
  • cast doubt on (someone or something)
  • cast down
  • cast eyes down
  • cast in (one's) teeth
  • cast in concrete
  • cast in stone
  • cast in the same mold
  • cast loose
  • cast lot in
  • cast lot with
  • cast lots
  • cast not the first stone
  • cast of thousands
  • cast off
  • cast on
  • cast one's bread upon the waters, to
  • cast one's lot with
  • cast out
  • cast pearls before swine
  • cast pearls before swine, to
  • cast someone adrift
  • cast something in someone's teeth
  • cast stones against the wind
  • cast the first stone
  • cast the gorge at
  • cast the gorge at (something)
  • cast up
  • cast up (one's) accounts
  • cast vote
  • cast your bread upon the waters
  • cast your eye
  • cast your eyes on something
  • cast your mind back
  • cast your mind back to something
  • cast your net wider
  • cast/draw lots
  • cast/draw/throw a veil over something
  • cast/run an eye/your eyes over something
  • cast/shed/throw light on something
  • cast/spread your net wide
  • cast/throw the first stone, to
  • cast-iron
  • cast-iron stomach
  • coming events cast their shadows before
  • die is cast
  • die is cast, the
  • draw a veil over (something)
  • in stone, cast/carved/written
  • let he that is without sin cast the first stone
  • let he who is without sin cast the first stone
  • let him that is without sin cast the first stone
  • let him who is without sin cast the first stone
  • old sins cast long shadows
  • run an/(one's) eye over (something)
  • shed (some) light on (something)
  • shed (some) light upon (something)
  • spread (one's) net wide
  • the die has been cast
  • the die is cast
  • throw (some) light on (something)
  • throw a veil over (something)
References in classic literature
Your journalist, whether he takes charge of a ship or a fleet, almost invariably "casts" his anchor.
Mirror of the Sea
Now for my own chance." He cast the dice in his turn.
Wardour prepared to cast, without shaking the dice.
The Frozen Deep
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.
Up From Slavery
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?"
Great Expectations
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.
Paradise Lost
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.
20000 Leagues Under The Sea
Quasimodo was barely conscious of a soul cast in his own image, moving blindly within him.
Notre Dame de Paris
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.
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood
Thus, once on a time, did I also cast my fancy beyond man, like all backworldsmen.
Thus Spake Zarathustra
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.
The Essays
The doctor cast a rapid glance upwards and silently shrugged his shoulders.
War and Peace
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."
Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz