cast of thousands

English

Etymology

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

Noun

cast of thousands (plural casts of thousands)

  1. (idiomatic) A large number of people in one place or carrying out one action.
    • 1977, James Monaco, How to Read a Film - The Art, Technology, Language, History, and Theory of Film and Media, page 15:
      For Apocalypse Now (above), Francis Ford Coppola reinvented the Vietnam War with the proverbial cast of thousands.
    • 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:
      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.
    • 2016, Judith Flanders, A Cast of Vultures, A Mystery:
      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.
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