drop anchor

• Soltar el ancla de un barco al agua para mantener la embarcación en un lugar; también se usa en sentido figurado para referirse a detenerse o establecerse en algún sitio.

To lower a ship's anchor into the water to keep the vessel stationary; also used figuratively to mean settling down or stopping somewhere.

1. Stop a boatB1formal

   To lower the anchor of a ship or boat to keep it stationary in the water.

   echar el ancla

   • The captain ordered the crew to drop anchor in the bay.
   • We dropped anchor near the island for the night.
   • The sailors dropped anchor to wait out the storm.

2. Settle downB2informal

   To stop moving and stay in one place, often used metaphorically.

   asentarse

   • After years of traveling, he decided to drop anchor in a small town.
   • She dropped anchor in her new home and started a garden.
   • The family dropped anchor in the countryside for a peaceful life.