cast adrift

phrasal verb

cast adrift; casting adrift; casts 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.