case
/keis/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun:
- A particular situation or set of circumstances: An instance or example of something happening or existing.
- An instance of a disease or problem: A person or thing considered as an example of a condition, especially in medicine or law.
- A matter to be decided by a court of law: A legal action or suit.
- A container or protective covering: A box, sheath, or shell designed to hold or protect something.
- (Grammar) A form of a noun, pronoun, or adjective: A category showing the word's grammatical relationship to other words in a sentence (e.g., nominative, accusative).
- (Printing, historical) A tray with compartments for holding type: Divided into sections for different letters, with "upper case" for capitals and "lower case" for small letters.
Verb:
- To enclose or cover in a case: To surround something with a protective layer or container.
- (Informal) To examine a place carefully: To inspect a building or area, typically with criminal intent.
Examples
- Noun (Situation):
- In that case, we should postpone the meeting.
- It was a clear case of mistaken identity.
- Noun (Medical/Legal Instance):
- The doctor reviewed the patient's case file.
- The lawyer presented a strong case to the jury.
- Noun (Container):
- She packed her glasses in a protective case.
- He bought a new case for his smartphone.
- Noun (Grammar):
- The pronoun "him" is in the objective case.
- Verb:
- The ancient artifact was cased in glass for display.
- The thieves cased the bank before the robbery.
Advanced Usage
- "In case": As a precaution; if it happens that.
- Take an umbrella in case it rains.
- "In any case": Whatever happens or happened; anyway.
- We might be late, but in any case, we'll call you.
- "In the case of": Regarding; concerning.
- In the case of a fire, use the emergency exit.
- "A case in point": A clear example of the subject being discussed.
- His dedication is a case in point for the team's spirit.
Variants and Related Words
- Upper case (n/adj): Capital letters (A, B, C).
- Lower case (n/adj): Small letters (a, b, c).
- Casing (n): A protective or enclosing cover or shell.
- Briefcase (n): A flat, rectangular case for carrying documents. (Compound word listed separately).
- Suitcase (n): A case with a handle for carrying clothes and personal items. (Compound word listed separately).
Synonyms
- Instance: An example or single occurrence of something.
- Situation: A set of circumstances.
- Container: A box, can, or similar object for holding something.
- Legal suit: A lawsuit or legal action.
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Case out (informal): To inspect or study a place carefully, often for illegal purposes. Synonymous with the verb sense "to examine".
- The burglars spent a week casing out the neighborhood.
Related Idioms
- Make a case for: To argue in support of something; to provide reasons.
- She made a strong case for increasing the budget.
- Get off my case! (informal): Stop criticizing or nagging me.
- I'll do it later, just get off my case!
- On someone's case (informal): Constantly criticizing or nagging someone.
- My boss has been on my case about the deadline.
- As the case may be: Depending on the circumstances.
- We will go by train or car, as the case may be.
Noun
- a glass container used to store and display items in a shop or museum or home
- bed linen consisting of a cover for a pillow
- the burglar carried his loot in a pillowcase
- (printing) the receptacle in which a compositor has his type, which is divided into compartments for the different letters, spaces, or numbers
- for English, a compositor will ordinarily have two such cases, the upper case containing the capitals and the lower case containing the small letters
- the enclosing frame around a door or window opening
- the casings had rotted away and had to be replaced
- the housing or outer covering of something
- the clock has a walnut case
- an enveloping structure or covering enclosing an animal or plant organ or part
- a specific size and style of type within a type family
- a person of a specified kind (usually with many eccentricities)
- a real character
- a strange character
- a friendly eccentric
- the capable type
- a mental case
- a specific state of mind that is temporary
- a case of the jitters
- nouns or pronouns or adjectives (often marked by inflection) related in some way to other words in a sentence
- the quantity contained in a case
- a statement of facts and reasons used to support an argument
- he stated his case clearly
- a problem requiring investigation
- Perry Mason solved the case of the missing heir
- a person who is subjected to experimental or other observational procedures; someone who is an object of investigation
- the subjects for this investigation were selected randomly
- the cases that we studied were drawn from two different communities
- a person requiring professional services
- a typical case was the suburban housewife described by a marriage counselor
- a portable container for carrying several objects
- the musicians left their instrument cases backstage
- the actual state of things
- that was not the case
- a comprehensive term for any proceeding in a court of law whereby an individual seeks a legal remedy
- the family brought suit against the landlord
- a special set of circumstances
- in that event, the first possibility is excluded
- it may rain in which case the picnic will be canceled
- an occurrence of something
- it was a case of bad judgment
- another instance occurred yesterday
- but there is always the famous example of the Smiths
Verb
- enclose in, or as if in, a case
- my feet were encased in mud
- look over, usually with the intention to rob
- They men cased the housed