Anchor (The)

in Christian art, is given to Clement of Rome and Nicolas of Bari. Pope Clement, in A.D. 80, was bound to an anchor and cast into the sea. Nicolas of Bari is the patron saint of sailors.

The anchor is apeak—that is, the cable of the anchor is so tight that the ship is drawn completely over it. (See Bower Anchor, Sheet Anchor.)

The anchor comes home, the anchor has been dragged from its hold. Figuratively, the enterprise has failed, notwithstanding the precautions employed.

To weigh anchor, to haul in the anchor, that the ship may sail away from its mooring. Figuratively, to begin an enterprise which has hung on hand.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.