cast a spell

cast a spell on (someone or something)

1. Literally, to induce the effects of a magic spell on someone or something, as in a fantasy story or film. My kids love this movie—it's about a group of animals that must work together to cast a spell on their forest in order to protect it.
2. By extension, to charm, enthrall, or otherwise captivate one. That girl must have really cast a spell on you if you're calling her already. It seems that the new CDEO has cast a spell on the board, because they're endorsing all of his plans.
See also: cast, on, spell
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.

cast a spell

 (on someone)
1. Lit. to enchant someone with a magic spell. The wizard cast a spell on the frog, turning it into a prince with bad skin.
2. Fig. to intrigue and delight someone. She is a real beauty. She cast a spell on every man she met.
See also: cast, spell
McGraw-Hill Dictionary of American Idioms and Phrasal Verbs.
See also:
  • cast a spell on (someone or something)
  • break a/the spell
  • break the spell
  • divert
  • divert (someone or something) from (someone or something)
  • divert from
  • smite
  • smite (someone or something) with (something)
  • smite with
  • delude (someone) with (something)
References in classic literature
By the mass, I think old Lucas Beaumanoir guesses right, when he maintains she hath cast a spell over you.''
Ivanhoe
SADIQABAD -- A man threw acid in her sister-in-law's face over suspicion that she had cast a spell on him in Sadiqabad City police precincts.
Khalida Parveen, resident of Tibba Zahir Peer, told the police that her husband Asghar Ali was on work when his brother Sarwar came and threw acid in her face, alleging that she had cast a spell on him.
Woman burnt in acid attack
A new form of protest against President Donald Trump took shape midnight Friday when witches around the country gathered to cast a spell to remove him from office.
Witches Cast Spells In Hopes Of Impeaching Trump
IF YOU had the power to cast a spell, what would it be?
As they navigate the trials and tribulations of life in the big smoke, they often need to join forces to cast a spell - known as a "switch" - to make life a bit easier.
HEX AND THE CITY; Welsh writer hoping to cast a little TV magic with new show
BBIIGGPROPERTY GUIDE ECHOTV featuring properties in Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, West Lancs and the North West Interviews, soap news, showbiz gossip and television listings for the next week GGUUIIDDEE ECHO Paddy Shennan - Page 4 A touch of Sparkle No expense spared on this lavish property - Page 3 IKEA - 25 years of changing the way we live WWiittcchhiinngg hhoouurr Coven-ready drama series aims to cast a spell on viewers - Page 3 Coven-ready drama series aims to cast a spell on viewers - Page 3 Fun Tyne as Gina returns to comedy Page2 Page5 Pages 6&7 Pages 4&5 Death stalks the Dales - but who will it be?
COMING SOON... TUESDAY John Barnes [...]
They went to the country's southern plains and the Danube river yesterday and hurled the poisonous mandrake plant into the river to cast a spell "so evil will befall them" said a witch named Alisia, reports the Independent.
Romanian witches to use 'cat poo, dead dog' curse on country's taxmen
HOWEVER, IF YOU USE TOO MUCH POLISH YOU ARE MORE APT TO THROW YOUR WAND THAN CAST A SPELL.
Mogmart's school of magical pm
This will cast a spell to make me the captain of England's football team because I want to be famous.
Going through the potions; AS THE FINAL HOURS TICK AWAY TO THE LAUNCH OF THE FIFTH HARRY POTTER BOOK, PUPILS AT A CITY PRIMARY SCHOOL DREAM UP SPELLS TO RIVAL THOSE OF ITS CELEBRATED NAMESAKE
Dressed in purple robes, he cast a spell invoking the elements of earth, air, water and fire and threw a talisman into the murky loch.
Nessie under a spell
A WHITE witch cast a spell at Loch Ness yesterday in a bid to prevent a Swedish scientist catching Nessie.
Witch Kev spells out loch plan
"I'll usually discover what their problem is and if they want me to cast a spell for them I will.
I CAN TEACH YOU HOW TO SPELL!; If you imagine a witch to be an ugly old hag on a broomstick with a black cat in tow, you should meet Kevin. With Hallowe'en looming on Thursday, LISA BURROW reports on a man with a magical mission..
A WHITE witch has cast a spell over Liverpool FC in a bid to help them secure victory in the Champions League final.
Reds have spell of good fortune
I WOULD cast a spell so that all the teachers in Hogwarts would give me top marks in my OWLs.
Spelling the future for Harry ...; FANS TELL OF THE MAGIC THEY'D LIKE TO READ ABOUT IN J K ROWLING'S LATEST BOOK HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX