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case
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/keɪs/ 
| singular | case |
| plural | cases |
- 2[countable] [usually singular] a situation or set of conditions, especially one involving a particular person or thing
I think we can make an exception in your case.
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.
it is the case that:Isn’t it the case that they’re afraid of change?
it’s a case of:It really is a case of ‘no news is good news’.
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.
as is the case:Often, as is the case for these families, there is no other source of support.
- 3[countable] a legal matter that will be decided in a court
a civil/criminal case
The case involved charges of police corruption.
a murder/rape/libel case:A number of libel cases were taken to the Court of Appeal.
case against:He was confident the case against him would be dropped.
win/lose a case:He would do anything to win a case.
- 4[countable] a set of facts and arguments that you can state for or against something
This strengthens the case of those who argue that the UK should have a Bill of Rights.
case for/against:There is a strong case for government intervention.
state your case:She was being offered a chance to state her case.
make (out) 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.
phrases
as the case may be
a case in point
get off someone’s case
[usually in imperative] spokento stop criticizing someoneWill you get off my case? I’m working as fast as I can.
in any case
in case
on a case by case basis
on someone’s case
spokencriticizing someone all the timeShe’s always on my case about punctuality.
on the case
This is the British English definition of case. View American English definition of case.
Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.
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