{ "term": "case", "partOfSpeech": "noun", "ox3000": true, "cefr": "a2", "image": "data/images/cl/clocks_watches.png", "definitions": [ { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "a particular situation or a situation of a particular type", "sensetop": "in… casesin cases of somethingin the case of somethinga case of something", "cefr": "a2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "**In some cases** people have had to wait several weeks for an appointment.", "contextForm": "in… cases" }, { "text": "**In most cases** the increases have been marginal." }, { "text": "**In many cases** it is the pressure of the job that causes managers to behave like this." }, { "text": "What should be done **in such cases**?" }, { "text": "The substances causes nausea, sickness and, **in extreme cases**, death." }, { "text": "The company only dismisses its employees in cases of gross misconduct.", "contextForm": "in cases of something" }, { "text": "In the case of banks, the law can limit activities.", "contextForm": "in the case of something" }, { "text": "Sometimes compost isn't enough, **in which case** artificial products may have to be used." }, { "text": "It's a **classic case** *(= a very typical case)* of bad planning.", "contextForm": "a case of something" }, { "text": "This appears to be a case of mistaken identity." }, { "text": "Except in a few rare cases, bee stings are not dangerous." }, { "text": "It was a simple case of mistaken identity." }, { "text": "The committee has full powers to deal with any cases of malpractice that arise." }, { "text": "There have been documented cases of officials accepting bribes." }, { "text": "a case of animal cruelty" }, { "text": "cases alleging violations of international law" } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["classic", "textbook", "typical"], "verb + case": ["illustrate", "show", "cite"], "case + verb": ["arise", "occur"], "case + noun": ["study", "example"], "preposition": ["in somebody’s/​this case", "case of"], "phrases": ["case by case", "a case in point"] } }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "the true situation", "sensetop": "be the caseit's the case that…", "cefr": "b1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "If that is the case *(= if the situation described is true)*, we need more staff.", "contextForm": "be the case" }, { "text": "It is simply not the case that prison conditions are improving.", "contextForm": "it's the case that…" }, { "text": "It remains the case that not enough graduates are going into teaching." } ], "collocations": { "verb + the case": ["be", "remain", "overstate"] } }, { "senseNumber": 3, "definition": "a situation that relates to a particular person or thing", "sensetop": "in somebody's casein this case", "cefr": "b1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "I cannot make an exception in your case *(= for you and not for others)*.", "contextForm": "in somebody's case" }, { "text": "In your case, we are prepared to be lenient." }, { "text": "Don't underestimate the power of the pen, or in this case, the power of the keyboard.", "contextForm": "in this case" }, { "text": "**In the present case**, the facts are not disputed." }, { "text": "Every application will be decided **on a case-by-case basis** *(= each one will be considered separately)*." }, { "text": "In her case, she failed the exam because she wasn't well." }, { "text": "He highlighted the case of Harry Farr, who was executed in 1916." }, { "text": "Complaints are dealt with on a case-by-case basis." }, { "text": "The teacher must judge each case according to its merits." }, { "text": "Let's consider the case of a dealer trying to make a sale." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["classic", "textbook", "typical"], "verb + case": ["illustrate", "show", "cite"], "case + verb": ["arise", "occur"], "case + noun": ["study", "example"], "preposition": ["in somebody’s/​this case", "case of"], "phrases": ["case by case", "a case in point"] } }, { "senseNumber": 4, "definition": "a matter that is being officially investigated, especially by the police", "labels": "(British English)(North American English)(British English)(North American English)(especially British English)(especially British English)(especially North American English)(especially British English)", "cefr": "b1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "They never solved the Jones murder case." }, { "text": "Police believe it is a simple case of theft." }, { "text": "Four officers are **investigating the case**." }, { "text": "The case hinged on the evidence of the only witness to the killing." }, { "text": "This was the hardest case she had handled since becoming a lawyer." }, { "text": "the notorious case of the Botley strangler" }, { "text": "The book is about the notorious case of the Lindbergh kidnapping." }, { "text": "He was looking through some homicide case files." }, { "text": "The judge ruled that the defendant had no case to answer, as the evidence had been discredited." }, { "text": "As a lawyer he was involved in high-profile divorce cases." }, { "text": "Carter was the senior case officer on the investigation." }, { "text": "The case raises a number of issues." }, { "text": "No lawyer would take his case." }, { "text": "a compensation case involving thousands of workers" }, { "text": "The disciplinary committee considered the merits of his case before fining him." }, { "text": "The union has taken up the case of the suspended worker." }, { "text": "The local MP has taken up the case of the family of six who have been left homeless." } ], "topics": ["Crime and punishment"], "collocations": { "adjective": ["notorious", "tragic", "assault"], "verb + case": ["handle", "investigate", "work on"], "case + noun": ["file", "report", "officer"], "preposition": ["on the case", "case of"] } }, { "senseNumber": 5, "definition": "a question to be decided in court", "cefr": "b1", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "a **court case**" }, { "text": "a **criminal/civil case**" }, { "text": "The **case will be heard** next week." }, { "text": "The Supreme Court heard the case yesterday." }, { "text": "to **win/lose a case**" }, { "text": "When does her case come before the court?" }, { "text": "the evidence in the case" }, { "text": "She lost the case and was ordered to pay legal fees." }, { "text": "The case came before Judge Hales in the Crown Court." }, { "text": "The case will be heard in a higher court." }, { "text": "The case was thrown out for lack of evidence." }, { "text": "The case was settled out of court." }, { "text": "The jury are required to be unanimous in death-penalty cases." }, { "text": "He brought a case challenging the legality of the war." }, { "text": "He brought the case to the Supreme Court." }, { "text": "The prosecution decided to drop the case." }, { "text": "He was so clearly innocent, the case should never have gone to court." }, { "text": "He pledged to bring a case of constructive dismissal against the government." } ], "topics": ["Law and justice"], "collocations": { "adjective": ["court", "criminal", "civil"], "verb + case": ["bring", "prosecute", "pursue"], "case + verb": ["come before somebody", "come to court", "go to court"], "preposition": ["in a/​the case", "case against", "case of"], "phrases": [ "a case to answer", "no case to answer", "the circumstances of a case" ] } }, { "senseNumber": 6, "definition": "a set of facts or arguments that support one side in a trial, a discussion, etc.", "sensetop": "case for somethingcase against somebody/somethingcase for doing somethingcase that…", "cefr": "b2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "Our lawyer didn't think we **had a case** *(= had enough good arguments to win in a court of law)*." }, { "text": "the case for the defence/prosecution", "contextForm": "case for something" }, { "text": "The case against her was very weak.", "contextForm": "case against somebody/something" }, { "text": "Let us consider **the case for and against** private education." }, { "text": "The report **makes out a** strong **case** *(= gives good arguments)* for spending more money on hospitals.", "contextForm": "case for doing something" }, { "text": "He successfully **argued the case** for accepting the agreement." }, { "text": "They try to **make the case** that this war is necessary.", "contextForm": "case that…" }, { "text": "You will each be given the change to state your case." }, { "text": "The defendant requested more time to prepare his case." }, { "text": "The case against her collapsed when a key witness was proved to have lied." }, { "text": "There is a good prima facie case for believing what she says." }, { "text": "What evidence do you have to support your case?" }, { "text": "The new evidence weakened the case for the defence." }, { "text": "I thought she argued her case very well." }, { "text": "I agree with him, but don't you think he slightly overstates the case?" }, { "text": "You can make out a case for changing our teaching methods." }, { "text": "With his current superb form, he presents an unanswerable case for selection in the team." }, { "text": "a case against wearing business attire" }, { "text": "The report makes out a strong case for spending more money on hospitals." }, { "text": "Is there a case against wearing school uniforms?" }, { "text": "A strong case exists for adopting a similar system in this country." } ], "topics": ["Opinion and argument"], "collocations": { "adjective": ["compelling", "convincing", "good"], "verb + case": ["have", "prepare", "outline"], "case + verb": ["exist"], "preposition": ["case against", "case for"], "phrases": [ "the case for the defence/​defense", "the case for the prosecution", "the merits of a case" ] } }, { "senseNumber": 7, "definition": "a container or cover used to protect or store things; a container with its contents or the amount that it contains", "sensetop": "case of something", "cefr": "a2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "a jewellery case" }, { "text": "The museum was full of stuffed animals in glass cases." }, { "text": "a case *(= 12 bottles)* of champagne", "contextForm": "case of something" }, { "text": "He put the binoculars back in their carrying case." }, { "text": "She kept all her trophies in a display case." }, { "text": "The winner will receive a case of champagne." }, { "text": "a gold watch in a presentation case" }, { "text": "a packing case" } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["carrying", "packing", "glass"], "preposition": [ "in a/​the case", "inside a/​the case", "out of a/​the case" ] } }, { "senseNumber": 8, "definition": "a container with flat sides and a handle, used for carrying clothes, etc. when you are travelling", "examples": [ { "text": "Let me carry your case for you." }, { "text": "They put their cases in the boot and drove off." }, { "text": "She wanted to pack her case and leave immediately." }, { "text": "I left my cases at the hotel and set off to meet him." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["attaché", "overnight"] } }, { "senseNumber": 9, "definition": "the fact of somebody having a disease or an injury; a person who has a disease or an injury", "sensetop": "case (of something)", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "a severe case of food poisoning" }, { "text": "Over 130 000 **cases** of cholera **were reported** in 2016." }, { "text": "The most serious cases were treated at the scene of the accident." }, { "text": "He had contracted a severe case of pneumonia." }, { "text": "They claim there has never been a case of food poisoning at the restaurant." }, { "text": "Two million new cases of hypertension are diagnosed each year." }, { "text": "There have been no confirmed cases of BSE in the US." }, { "text": "The Department of Health reported five human cases of bird flu." }, { "text": "He had a bad case of appendicitis." }, { "text": "About 25% of AIDS cases are linked with the sharing of needles." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["acute", "chronic", "advanced"], "verb + case": ["diagnose", "report"], "case + noun": ["history", "notes", "records"], "preposition": ["case of"] } }, { "senseNumber": 10, "definition": "a person who needs, or is thought to need, special treatment or attention", "examples": [ { "text": "He's a hopeless case." }, { "text": "After the exams, the teacher gave all borderline cases a spoken test." } ] }, { "senseNumber": 11, "definition": "the form of a noun, an adjective or a pronoun in some languages, that shows its relationship to another word", "examples": [ { "text": "the nominative/accusative/genitive case" }, { "text": "Latin nouns have case, number and gender." }, { "text": "In Polish the verb ‘to be’ takes the instrumental case." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "used to say that one of two or more possibilities is true, but which one is true depends on the circumstances", "examples": [ { "text": "There may be an announcement about this tomorrow—or not, as the case may be." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to criticize somebody all the time", "labels": "(informal)", "examples": [ { "text": "She's always on my case about cleaning my room." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to be dealing with a particular matter, especially a criminal investigation", "examples": [ { "text": "We have two agents on the case." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "a clear example of the problem, situation, etc. that is being discussed", "examples": [ { "text": "Many professions feel they deserve higher pay, and nurses are a case in point." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "a situation in business, politics, etc. where there is a lot of competition and people are willing to harm each other in order to succeed", "examples": [ { "text": "I'm afraid in this line of work it's a case of dog eat dog." }, { "text": "We're operating in a dog-eat-dog world." } ], "topics": ["Success"] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "used to tell somebody to stop criticizing you", "labels": "(informal)", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "whatever happens or may have happened", "examples": [ { "text": "There's no point complaining now—we're leaving tomorrow in any case." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "because of the possibility of something happening", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "You'd better take the keys in case I'm out." }, { "text": "You probably won't need to call—but take my number, just in case." }, { "text": "In case *(= if it is true that)* you’re wondering why Jo’s here—let me explain…" } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "if something happens", "examples": [ { "text": "In case of fire, ring the alarm bell." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "if that happens or has happened; if that is the situation", "examples": [ { "text": "‘I’ve made up my mind.’ ‘In that case, there’s no point discussing it.’" } ] }, { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "used to say that you do not need to say any more about something because you think that you have proved your point", "sensetop": "I rest my case", "labels": "(sometimes humorous)", "examples": [] }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "used by lawyers in court to say that they have finished presenting their case", "labels": "(law)", "examples": [ { "text": "The prosecution rests its case." } ] } ], "pronunciations": { "uk": [ { "pronunciation": "/keɪs/", "audio": "ca/case/case__gb_2.mp3" } ], "us": [ { "pronunciation": "/keɪs/", "audio": "ca/case/case__us_1.mp3" } ] }, "wordOrigin": "noun senses 1 to 6 and noun senses 9 to 11 Middle English: from Old French cas, from Latin casus ‘fall’, related to cadere ‘to fall’; in sense (11) directly from Latin, translating Greek ptōsis, literally ‘fall’. noun senses 7 to 8 late Middle English: from Old French casse, chasse (modern caisse ‘trunk, chest’, châsse ‘reliquary, frame’), from Latin capsa, related to capere ‘to hold’." }