Case | Mean of case in English Dictionary

/ˈkeɪs/

• Noun
• a situation or occurrence that is an instance or example of something
1. That was true in all three cases. [=instances]
2. We usually ask for a 100-dollar deposit, but in this case we'll make an exception.
3. They might not let you buy the tickets yet, in which case [=and if that is true] you should try again tomorrow.
4. It was a case of mistaken identity. [=a situation in which someone or something is mistakenly thought to be someone or something else]
5. a classic case [=a typical example] of sibling rivalry
• a situation that is being investigated or managed by someone (such as a police officer or social worker) in an official way
1. Her disappearance is a case for the police.
2. Detectives are on the case.
3. a murder/rape/kidnapping case
4. The abused child's case was turned over to state authorities.
• a form of a noun, pronoun, or adjective showing its relationship to other words in a sentence
1. The word “child's” in “a child's shirt” is in the possessive case.

• what actually exists or happens
1. A lot of people have had trouble working with him, and that was certainly the case with me. [=I also had trouble working with him]
2. She had expected him to come home, but that was not to be the case. [=but that didn't happen]
3. The doctor may or may not have been at fault, but whatever the case (may be) [=either way] the patient almost died.
4. Is it not the case [=isn't it true] that she took the car without permission?
• a situation that will be talked about and decided in court
1. a court case
2. a civil/criminal case
3. The lawyer agreed to take/handle the case.
4. I said that it wouldn't work and it didn't. I rest my case.
• a convincing argument
1. He makes a good case for cutting expenses.
• an occurrence of a disease or an injury
1. an AIDS case
2. He has a bad/severe/slight case of the flu.
• an occurrence of discomfort, fear, etc.
1. She had a bad case of the nerves/jitters/butterflies [=she was very nervous] before she gave her report.
• a particular person and his or her condition or character
1. You are a sad case.
• for the purpose of being ready for something that might happen
1. Bring an umbrella in case it rains.
2. We brought extra money just in case.
• if (something) happens
1. That door is for use in case of [=in the event of] fire.
• when that is considered
1. “The traffic could be heavy tomorrow.” “In that case, we better leave early.”
• a box or container to hold something
1. a cigarette/pencil case
• the contents of a box
1. They drank a case [=four six-packs; 24 bottles] of beer.
• Verb
• to study or watch (a house, store, etc.) with plans to rob it
1. A couple of robbers decided to case the joint.