case*/*/*/

[keɪs]

noun [C]

1) a situation that involves a particular person or thing

In the majority of cases, it's easy to keep costs down.[/ex]

If that's the case, I'm not surprised she was angry.[/ex]

It was a case of love at first sight.[/ex]

‘I don't need it tonight.' ‘ In that case, I'll keep it until tomorrow.'[/ex]

2) a legal matter that will be decided in a court

He was confident that the case against him would be dropped.[/ex]

a murder/rape/libel case[/ex]

3) a set of facts used to support one side of an argument or legal matter

The lawyers told me I had a strong case (= had a good chance of winning in court).[/ex]

4) a crime that the police are trying to solve

a murder case[/ex]

5) an instance of a disease

a bad case of food poisoning[/ex]

6) a situation or person that an official is dealing with

Each social worker was assigned 30 cases.[/ex]

7) a container or cover for something

Have you seen my glasses' case anywhere?[/ex]

a case of wine[/ex]

8) a suitcase

•

a case in point — used for giving an example of the situation or behaviour that you are talking about[/ex]

in any case — whatever the situation is, was, or will be[/ex]

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

in case — 1) in order to be prepared for something that may happen[/ex]

Take an umbrella in case it rains.[/ex]

I'll make some sandwiches, just in case we get hungry later on.[/ex]

In case of (=if there is) bad weather, the wedding will be held indoors.[/ex]

— 2) Americanif

In case you can't come, give me a call.[/ex]