a person or thing that is not clearly classifiable as something
Some were obviously unsuitable and could be ruled out at once. Others were borderlinecases.
hours spent in meetings agonising over borderline cases
a large proportion of borderline cases revert to normal without treatment
Examples of 'borderline case' in a sentence
borderline case
This was clearly a borderline case meriting the special consideration it received.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The case was 'an extremely difficult and borderline case because of the strong arguments on both sides,' she said.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
For the landscape of architectural foolishness is peopled with borderline cases.
The Times Literary Supplement (2013)
In difficult borderline cases there might be scope for legitimate differences of opinion.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
In borderline cases, social workers might be persuaded 'possibly against their better judgment to monitor cases rather than initiate proceedings', he said.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
The court might have some difficult borderline cases as to the meaning of 'commercial information'.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Even if the research generated consistent, repeatable, reliable findings, scans would be unhelpful in precisely those borderline cases where assistance is most needed.
The Times Literary Supplement (2013)
But in borderline cases, a lifestyle spring-clean may reduce your blood pressure enough to avoid pills.
The Sun (2008)
Teachers inevitably focus attention on the borderline cases who can swing the results, rather than the brightest or the struggling.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Imagine all possible laws, ranked from the obviously good ones through to the borderline cases and down to the absurd and the atrocious.