cast adrift

1 :  to cause (a boat) to float on the water without being tied to anything or controlled by anyone —often used as (be) cast adrift a small lifeboat was cast adrift in the open sea

2 :  to cause (someone) to float on the water in a boat that is not tied to anything or controlled by anyone —often used as (be) cast adrift They were cast adrift in a small, leaky boat. —often used figuratively I was cast adrift in a sea of confusion.