cast as

cast (one) as (something)

1. Literally, to assign one a specific role in a play, film, or other such performance. A noun or pronoun does not have to be used between "cast" and "as." I can't believe they cast me as Romeo—I only tried out for the chorus! My daughter is thrilled that she got cast as the lead in the school play.
2. To see another person in a particular, often limited, way that reflects one's own biases. A noun or pronoun does not have to be used between "cast" and "as." None of my sister's friends will date me—I guess they cast me as the dopey little brother a long time ago.
See also: cast
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

cast someone as something

 
1. Lit. to choose someone to play a particular role in a play, opera, film, etc. The director cast her as the young singer. They cast me as a villain.
2. Fig. to decide or fantasize that someone is going to follow a particular pattern of behavior in real life. I'm afraid my teachers cast me as a dummy when I was very young. They cast me as someone who would not succeed.
See also: cast
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • arrange for
  • arrange for some time
  • arrange some music for
  • piece out
  • angle
  • angling
  • not do (someone or oneself) any favors
  • mac out
  • mack out
  • involve with (someone or something)
References in classic literature
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
If now we were to try to penetrate to the soul of Quasimodo through that thick, hard rind; if we could sound the depths of that badly constructed organism; if it were granted to us to look with a torch behind those non-transparent organs to explore the shadowy interior of that opaque creature, to elucidate his obscure corners, his absurd no-thoroughfares, and suddenly to cast a vivid light upon the soul enchained at the extremity of that cave, we should, no doubt, find the unhappy Psyche in some poor, cramped, and ricketty attitude, like those prisoners beneath the Leads of Venice, who grew old bent double in a stone box which was both too low and too short for them.
Notre Dame de Paris
The doctor cast a rapid glance upwards and silently shrugged his shoulders.
War and Peace
Songs from Leatherhead Theatre's upcoming production of Aladdin will be sung by the cast as well.
Ashtead Rotary Village Day all set to welcome 8,000 people from across the county; Leatherhead Theatre's upcoming panto production of Aladdin will be this year's guests
The lack of cutoff after casting and human hand involvement during assembly allows Hitchiner to inject as many parts per wax ring and cast as many parts per investment tree as a stable shell mold can envelop.
Hitchiner Manufacturing Co. - turning the casting world upside down
In considering a component that may be a candidate for production with the FPC process, benefits to look for include: reduced machining and overall weight, higher performance, multiple components cast as a single piece, tighter tolerances and uniform wall thicknesses.
Unique casting applications with foam patterns