noun | verb
casecase1 /keɪs/ ●●● S1 W1 noun 1
EXAMPLE [countable] an example of a particular situation or of something happening, especially something bad: case of Miller’s actions were a clear case of sexual harassment. Many southern cities are growing above the national average – Atlanta is a case in point (=an example of this fact). This is a classic case of (=a typical example of) food poisoning.► see thesaurus at example2SITUATION [countable usually singular] a situation that exists, especially when you consider how it affects a particular person or group: in this/his/one etc. case In many cases, standards have greatly improved. Many of the boys live in poverty, as in Mark’s case. In the case of these skeletons, 22 of 40 contained lead in dangerous amounts. It may be the case that they just don’t know what’s going on. I may be wrong, in which case I apologize. You haven’t done anything wrong, and if that’s really the case, then talk to the police.3LAW/CRIME [countable] a)law a question or problem that will be dealt with by a court of law: a court casewin/lose a case Watson won the discrimination case against her employer.a civil/criminal case (=a case relating to private legal matters or crime)hear a case The judge who heard the case was very good. b)all the reasons that one side in a legal argument can give against the other side: the case against the boy’s accused killer Ali’s testimony strengthened the case for the prosecution (=made them more likely to win). The District Attorney’s office says it has a good case against Williams (=they feel they are likely to win). c)an event or set of events that need to be dealt with by the police: case of Detroit police are investigating the case of a man found strangled on Tuesday. Luca is the investigator on the case.4(just) in case a)as a way of being safe from something that might happen or might be true: There are spare batteries in there, in case you need them. b)used to mean “if”: In case you missed the last program, here’s a summary of the story.5in case of something used to describe what you should do in a particular situation, especially on official notices: In case of fire, break the glass and push the alarm button.6in any case used to say that a fact or part of a situation stays the same, even if other things change: I’ve never been bitten, but in any case, the spider’s bite is not very poisonous.7REASON/ARGUMENT [countable, uncountable] the facts, arguments, or reasons for doing something, supporting something, etc.: case for/against Smith made a good case for changing the way schools are run (=he gave good reasons for it).8DISEASE/ILLNESS [countable] an example of a disease or illness, or the person suffering this disease or illness: The nurse treated several urgent cases.case of Tara was treated for a slight case of frostbite.9BOX/CONTAINER [countable] a)a large box or container in which things can be stored or moved: a packing casecase of a case of wine b)a special box used as a container for holding or protecting something: The exhibits were all in glass cases. c)old-fashioned a suitcase → see also bookcase, briefcase, pillowcaseSPOKEN PHRASES10in that case used to describe what you will do, or what will happen, as a result of a particular situation or event: “I’ll be home late tonight.” “Well, in that case, I won’t cook dinner.”11it is a case of something used before describing a situation, especially when you use a familiar phrase to describe it: Tim said that for him, it was a case of love at first sight.12be on somebody’s case to be criticizing someone continuously: Dad’s always on my case about getting a job.13get off my case used to tell someone to stop criticizing you or complaining about you: OK, OK, just get off my case, will you?14make a (federal) case out of something to complain or get very upset about something that has happened: I just forgot! Don’t make a federal case out of it.15a case of the jitters/blahs/blues etc. informal an occasion when you feel a particular way: He admitted he had a bad case of the jitters before the performance (=he was nervous).16PERSON [countable] someone who is being dealt with by a doctor, a social worker, the police, etc.17GRAMMAR [countable, uncountable] eng. lang. arts the way in which the form of a word changes, showing its relationship to other words in a sentence: case endings[Origin: (8) 1200–1300 Old French cas, from Latin casus fall, chance] → see also basket case, lower case, upper case noun | verb
casecase2 verb [transitive] 1be cased in something to be completely surrounded by a material or substance: a reactor cased in metal and concrete → see also casing2case the joint humorous to look around a place that you intend to steal from, in order to find out information