case

case1 [ keıs ] noun ***

▸ 1 example/instance

▸ 2 situation affecting something

▸ 3 legal matter for court

▸ 4 reasons for/against something

▸ 5 situation/person

▸ 6 container/cover

▸ 7 in language

▸ + PHRASES

1. ) count an example or instance of something:

In the majority of cases, keeping a project within budget depends on efficient cost control.

case of: a serious case of nerves

It was a case of love at first sight.

a ) an instance of a disease:

case of: a bad case of food poisoning

b ) a person with a disease:

He treated several cases of severe sunburn.

2. ) count usually singular a situation or set of conditions, especially one involving a particular person or thing:

as is the case: Often, as is the case for these families, there is no other source of support.

be the case: This was the case in the past, but now life is different.

if that's the case: If that's the case, I'm not surprised he was angry.

I think we can make an exception in your case.

in that case: I don't need it tonight. In that case, I'll keep it until tomorrow.

in which case: They had the choice to comply with the conditions, in which case the bombing would have stopped.

it's a case of: It really is a case of no news is good news.

it is the case that: Isn't it the case that they're afraid of change?

a ) as the case may be used for saying that either of two things may be true, depending on the actual situation:

An important consideration is the candidates' experience, or lack of it, as the case may be.

b ) on a case-by-case basis according to the particular facts relating to each situation:

The only thing we can do is to negotiate on a case-by-case basis.

3. ) count a legal matter that will be decided in a court:

a civil/criminal case

The case involved charges of police corruption.

case against: He was confident the case against him would be dropped.

win/lose a case: He would do anything to win a case.

a ) a crime that the police are trying to solve:

At least a dozen officers are investigating the murder case.

b ) the evidence and arguments that one side can use against the other in a law court:

the case for the prosecution/the defense: The assistant district attorney informed the judge that he had completed the case for the prosecution.

have a case (=have a chance of winning): The lawyers told me I didn't have a case.

4. ) count a set of facts and arguments that you can state for or against something:

This horrible crime strengthens the case of those who want all guns to be licensed.

case for/against: The case against lowering educational standards is overwhelming.

make a case for something: Calvin makes a good case for this unpopular policy in his article.

A case can be made for reducing taxes right now.

state your case: She was being offered a chance to state her case.

5. ) count a situation or person to be dealt with, often by an official:

reports of cases of neglected and abused children

Each social worker was assigned 30 cases.

6. ) count a container or cover for keeping or protecting something:

Have you seen my glasses' case anywhere?

The paintings were shipped in large wooden cases.

a ) a piece of furniture made of wood and glass in which objects are shown in a store or museum

b ) a container for holding a large number of separate things, especially bottles, or the things in the container:

case of: We bought a case of wine.

c ) MAINLY BRITISH a suitcase

7. ) count or uncount LINGUISTICS a form of a noun, adjective, or pronoun in some languages that shows its relationship to other words in a sentence

a case in point

an example of the situation or behavior that you are talking about:

Shoppers tend to think that high prices mean high quality. Electronics are a case in point.

get off someone's case usually in imperative SPOKEN

to stop criticizing someone

in any case

1. ) whatever the situation is or will be:

Traffic may be bad, but in any case we'll be there in time for dinner.

2. ) used for adding information to support a statement or make it clearer:

Nobody saw her on the train. In any case, she probably didn't have enough money for a ticket.

in case

1. ) if:

In case you can't come, give me a call before I leave for work.

2. ) in order to be prepared for something that may happen:

Take an umbrella in case it rains.

just in case: I'll make some sandwiches, just in case we get hungry later.

in case of: In case of bad weather, the wedding will be held indoors.

3. ) used for explaining why you are doing something:

In case you were wondering, I'm here to see your brother, not you.

on someone's case SPOKEN

criticizing someone all the time

on the case

dealing with something:

Who's finding out about the hotel? Don't worry, Jane's on the case.

case

case 2 [ keıs ] verb transitive

VERY INFORMAL if a criminal cases a place, such as a bank, they watch it and look around it to help them plan their crime:

He saw McVeigh casing the Oklahoma City federal building before it was bombed.

a. case the joint OFTEN HUMOROUS to look carefully at a place that you intend to visit later

be cased in something

to be completely covered in something, especially as a protection