E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Weigh Anchor.
Be off, get you gone. To weigh anchor is to lift it from its moorings, so that the ship may start on her voyage. As soon as this is done the ship is under-weigh—i.e. in movement. (Saxon, wægan, to lift up, carry.)
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“Get off with you; come, come! weigh anchor.”—Sir W. Scott: The Antiquary.
