Dictionary

cast of thousands en · NOUN

Etymology

Originally used literally, although embellished even then. Its modern-day usage is not restricted to acting.

Meanings

1. (idiomatic) A large number of people in one place or carrying out one action.
   • Life was now just too confusing, so I didn't ask any questions, just headed back to the cast of thousands standing in my kitchen. 2016, Judith Flanders, A Cast of Vultures, A Mystery:
   • They were trying to keep it down and saying going to Europe, as I recall, but a cast of thousands --- that is incorrect, take that off. 1987, United States, Congress, House, Select Committee to Investigate Covert Arms Transactions with Iran, Report of the Congressional Committees Investigating the Iran-Contra Affair - Appendix B, Depositions, Volume 4, page 896:
   • For Apocalypse Now (above), Francis Ford Coppola reinvented the Vietnam War with the proverbial cast of thousands. 1977, James Monaco, How to Read a Film - The Art, Technology, Language, History, and Theory of Film and Media, page 15:

Forms