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case
/keɪs/
The word 'case' is highly versatile and can be used as a noun in many different ways. Some meanings are very common, like 'a situation' (e.g., 'in that case') or 'a container' (e.g., 'phone case'). The legal meaning ('a lawsuit') is also very frequent. Be aware that 'case' can sometimes be uncountable when referring to a general situation (e.g., 'It's a difficult case to solve') but countable when referring to specific instances or containers (e.g., 'three cases of wine', 'a display case').
💬Casual Conversation
Did you drop your phone again? I saw a crack in your case.
it's just a screen protector dad. stop capping.
Meanings
Examples
Just put the phone in its case before you drop it!
In that case, I guess we are just not friends anymore.
Look, this is a clear case of negligence, sir!
I can't believe he's actually taking this case to trial.
Wait, is this a mild case or something serious?
I've made a strong case for my promotion, right?
I think this is a special case that needs attention.
Please leave your jewelry case on the table here.
We need to analyze this case from every angle.
Is the nominative case always used for the subject?
Collocations & Compounds
in that case
In the situation previously mentioned.
If it rains, in that case we'll stay home.
a clear case
An obvious or undeniable instance.
This is a clear case of fraud.
legal case
A matter being dealt with by a court of law.
The lawyer is working on a new legal case.
display case
A glass cabinet for showing items.
The jewels were in a locked display case.
medical case
A specific instance of a disease or medical condition.
The doctor studied the unusual medical case.
Phrasal Verbs
case out
To clean or tidy a place thoroughly.
We need to case out the garage this weekend.
Idioms & Sayings
in case of
If a particular thing happens.
In case of fire, use the stairs.
make a case for
To present reasons why something should be done or is a good idea.
He made a strong case for investing more money.
case closed
Used to say that a matter is finished and cannot be discussed further.
I won't argue about it anymore; case closed.
take the case
To handle a particular legal matter.
Will you take the case? It's quite complex.
Cultural Context
In the realm of literature, few words carry as much weight as "case," and no figure has weaponized this concept more effectively than Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes. For Holmes, a case is not merely a legal matter or a police report; it is a puzzle, a mental gymnasium where the detective can exercise his powers of deduction. The transition of the word from a dry legal term to a thrilling narrative device changed how we perceive mystery and crime in popular culture.
The brilliance of the "case" structure in the Holmesian universe lies in its psychological appeal. Each case serves as a microcosm of human nature, where the detective peels back layers of social facade to reveal the hidden truth beneath. Whether it is the haunting atmosphere of 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' or the subtle clues in 'A Scandal in Bohemia,' the case becomes a vehicle for exploring the tension between chaos and order. Holmes views the world as a series of data points waiting to be organized; for him, an open case is an itch that must be scratched, a logical void that demands filling.
Beyond the stories themselves, this obsession with the "case" mirrored the rise of forensic science in the late 19th century. As chemistry and fingerprinting began to enter the courtroom, the concept of building a case shifted from relying on eyewitness testimony to assembling physical evidence. This shift is reflected in how Holmes operates; he doesn't just guess—he builds a case based on empirical observation.
Today, this legacy persists in every procedural crime show, from 'Law & Order' to 'CSI.' We are still captivated by the "case of the week" format because it satisfies a deep human desire for resolution. The closing of a case represents more than just an arrest; it symbolizes the restoration of justice and the triumph of reason over the inexplicable.
Etymology
The word 'case' entered Middle English around the 14th century, primarily deriving from Old French 'cas' and Latin 'casus', meaning 'a falling, happening, event, occurrence'. This Latin root itself comes from the verb 'cadere', meaning 'to fall'. Initially, it referred to an event or occurrence, closely related to the concept of chance or fortune. Over time, its meaning broadened to encompass a specific set of circumstances or a particular instance of something. The legal sense of a 'case' (a lawsuit) emerged by the late 14th century, influenced by the Latin legal term 'causa', which also related to a cause or lawsuit. The meaning of 'container' developed later, around the 15th century, likely from the idea of a container for things that have 'fallen' or been put into it, or perhaps influenced by the Old French 'casse' (box, chest). The grammatical sense of 'case' (nominative, genitive, etc.) appeared in the 16th century, stemming from the Latin grammatical term 'casus', referring to the inflection or 'falling' of a word's ending.