anchor's aweigh

anchor's aweigh

1. (nautical) Response to order to weigh anchor when the anchor has been tripped and is no longer attached to the bottom.
   • [1928] 1988, Frederick Pease Harlow, The Making of a Sailor

     Then the mate called again to the captain, “Anchor’s aweigh, sir!” while the men kept on heaving.

   • 1987, Philip McCutchan, Convoy North‎:

     Amory’s voice came again from the fo’c’sle. ‘Anchor’s aweigh, sir.’

   • 1994, Patrick O'Brian, The Fortune of War‎:

     ‘Anchor’s apeak — they pawl and back — ’ At this moment the American frigate fired a gun, dropped her topgallantsails, and sheeted them home. ‘Anchor’s aweigh,’ called Broke. ‘He plucked it up in fine style.’