Phrase guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
No pronunciation record was provided for this word.
verb
To continue in a course of action even when facing great difficulties and likely disaster.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To resist the temptation to make a bad choice.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
From the practice of tying oneself to the mast of a sailing ship in rough weather so as not to be swept overboard.
A reference to the scene in Homer's Odyssey in which Odysseus has his men lash him to the mast so that he will not succumb to the lure of the Sirens.
