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case

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noun

/keɪs/

singular	case
plural	cases

Other entries for this word

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1
[countable] 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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of case
1. a.
  an instance of a disease
  case of:
  a bad case of food poisoning
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of case
2. b.
  a person with a disease
  He treated several cases of severe sunburn.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of case
2
[countable] [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 can still agree to our conditions, in which case the bombing will stop.
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?
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of case
3
[countable] 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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of case
1. a.
  a crime that the police are trying to solve
  At least a dozen officers are investigating the murder case.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of case
2. 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.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of case
4
[countable] 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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of case
5
[countable] a situation or person to be dealt with, often by an official
There have been several reports of cases of neglected and abused children.
Each social worker was assigned 30 cases.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of case
6
[countable] a container or cover for keeping or protecting something
Have you seen my glasses' case anywhere?
The paintings were shipped in large wooden cases.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of case
1. a.
  a piece of furniture made of wood and glass in which objects are shown in a store or museum
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of case
2. 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.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of case
3. c.
  mainly British a suitcase
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of case
7
[countable/uncountable] linguistics a form of a noun, adjective, or pronoun in some languages that shows its relationship in grammar to other words in a sentence
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of case

phrases

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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of case
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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of case
get off someone's case
[usually in imperative] spoken
to stop criticizing someone
Will you get off my case? I'm working as fast as I can.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of case
in any case
1. 1
  whatever the situation is or will be
  Traffic may be bad, but in any case we'll be there in time for dinner.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of case
2. 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.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of case
in case
1. 1
  if
  In case you can't come, give me a call before I leave for work.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of case
2. 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.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of case
3. 3
  used for explaining why you are doing something
  In case you were wondering, I'm here to see your brother, not you.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of case
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.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of case
on someone's case
spoken
criticizing someone all the time
She's always on my case about punctuality.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of case
on the case
dealing with something
"Who's finding out about the hotel?" "Don't worry, Jane's on the case."
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of case

This is the American English definition of case. View British English definition of case.

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View the pronunciation for case.

cyberloafing

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case

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phrases

as the case may be

a case in point

get off someone's case

in any case

in case

on a case-by-case basis

on someone's case

on the case

cyberloafing

Word of the Day

neutron

show a bit of ankle