Crossword Genius

Prepare to sail away from the players (4,3)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

cast off

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'from the players' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'prepare to sail away' is the wordplay.
'prepare to sail' becomes 'cast' (I can't explain this - if you can you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'away' becomes 'off' (synonyms).
'cast'+'off'='CAST-OFF'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for cast off that I've seen before include "no longer required" , "Rejected" , "Stop knitting - discarded - prepare to sail away" , "unwanted garment" , "Stop knitting - prepare for sea" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.
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