Collocations for case - noun
1. example
ADJ.
classic, textbook, typical | clear, obvious, simple
It was a simple case of mistaken identity.
It was a simple case of mistaken identity.
borderline
After the exams, the teacher gave all borderline cases a spoken test.
After the exams, the teacher gave all borderline cases a spoken test.
extreme | isolated, rare
Except in a few rare cases, bee stings are not dangerous.
Except in a few rare cases, bee stings are not dangerous.
exceptional, special | striking
VERB + CASE
highlight, illustrate, show
He highlighted the case of Harry Farr, 25, who was executed for cowardice in 1916.
He highlighted the case of Harry Farr, 25, who was executed for cowardice in 1916.
CASE + VERB
arise, occur
The committee has full powers to deal with any cases of malpractice that arise.
The committee has full powers to deal with any cases of malpractice that arise.
CASE + NOUN
study
a case study of an Amazonian tribe
a case study of an Amazonian tribe
example
PREP.
in sb''s/this ~
In her case, she failed the exam because she wasn''t well.
In her case, she failed the exam because she wasn''t well.
~ of
a case of animal cruelty
a case of animal cruelty
PHRASES
case by case/on a case by case basis
Complaints are dealt with on a case by case basis.
Complaints are dealt with on a case by case basis.
a case in point
Many professions feel they deserve higher pay, and nurses are a case in point.
Many professions feel they deserve higher pay, and nurses are a case in point.
2. true situation
VERB + CASE
be, remain
It remains the case that not enough graduates are going into teaching.
It remains the case that not enough graduates are going into teaching.
overstate, understate
I agree with him, but don''t you think he slightly overstates the case?
I agree with him, but don''t you think he slightly overstates the case?
3. of a disease
ADJ.
acute, chronic | advanced, serious, severe | mild
CASE + NOUN
history
Medical students study the case histories of many patients.
Medical students study the case histories of many patients.
file, notes, records, report
PREP.
~ of
a severe case of food poisoning
a severe case of food poisoning
4. police investigation
ADJ.
notorious
the notorious case of the Botley strangler
the notorious case of the Botley strangler
tragic | murder, robbery
VERB + CASE
investigate, work on
Four police officers are investigating the case.
Four police officers are investigating the case.
crack, solve
They never solved the Jones murder case.
They never solved the Jones murder case.
CASE + NOUN
officer
Carter was the senior case officer on the investigation.
Carter was the senior case officer on the investigation.
PREP.
on the ~
A detective is on the case at the moment.
A detective is on the case at the moment.
~ of
a case of theft
a case of theft
5. in a court of law
ADJ.
court | criminal | civil | test
This is a test case which will influence what other judges decide.
This is a test case which will influence what other judges decide.
divorce
VERB + CASE
bring
The victim decided to bring a case of rape against him.
The victim decided to bring a case of rape against him.
handle
This was the hardest case she had handled since becoming a lawyer.
This was the hardest case she had handled since becoming a lawyer.
consider, hear, try
The court will consider the case soon. | The case will be heard in the Court of Appeal.
The court will consider the case soon. | The case will be heard in the Court of Appeal.
adjourn | dismiss, throw out
The case was thrown out for lack of evidence.
The case was thrown out for lack of evidence.
drop
The prosecution decided to drop the case.
The prosecution decided to drop the case.
decide, settle
The case was settled out of court.
The case was settled out of court.
win | lose | review
CASE + VERB
come before sb, come to court, go to court, go to trial
The case came before Judge Hales in the Crown Court. | He was so clearly innocent, the case should never have gone to court.
The case came before Judge Hales in the Crown Court. | He was so clearly innocent, the case should never have gone to court.
collapse
The case against her collapsed when a key witness was proved to have lied.
The case against her collapsed when a key witness was proved to have lied.
centre on sth, hinge on sth, rest on sth, turn on sth
The case hinged on the evidence of the only witness to the killing.
The case hinged on the evidence of the only witness to the killing.
raise sth
The case raises a number of issues.
The case raises a number of issues.
PREP.
in a/the ~
the evidence in the case
the evidence in the case
~ against
The case against her was very weak.
The case against her was very weak.
~ of
PHRASES
a/no case to answer
The judge ruled that the defendant had no case to answer, as the evidence had been discredited.
The judge ruled that the defendant had no case to answer, as the evidence had been discredited.
the circumstances/facts of a case
6. arguments
ADJ.
convincing, good, powerful, strong | open-and-shut, unanswerable
With his current superb form, he presents an unanswerable case for selection in the team.
With his current superb form, he presents an unanswerable case for selection in the team.
weak | defence, prosecution/prosecution''s
VERB + CASE
have
Our lawyer didn''t think we had a case (= had enough good arguments to win in a court of law).
Our lawyer didn''t think we had a case (= had enough good arguments to win in a court of law).
prepare
The defendant requested more time to prepare his case.
The defendant requested more time to prepare his case.
outline, set out | deliver, make (out), present, put, state
You can make out a case for changing our teaching methods.
You can make out a case for changing our teaching methods.
argue, plead
I thought she argued her case very well.
I thought she argued her case very well.
take up
The local MP has taken up the case of the family of six who have been left homeless.
The local MP has taken up the case of the family of six who have been left homeless.
judge
The teacher must judge each case according to its merits.
The teacher must judge each case according to its merits.
bolster, help, support
What evidence do you have to support your case?
What evidence do you have to support your case?
weaken
CASE + VERB
exist
A strong caseexists for adopting a similarsystem in this country.
A strong caseexists for adopting a similarsystem in this country.
PREP.
~ against
Is there a case against wearing school uniforms?
Is there a case against wearing school uniforms?
~ for
PHRASES
the case for the defence/prosecution, the merits of a case
The disciplinary committee considered the merits of his case before fining him.
The disciplinary committee considered the merits of his case before fining him.
7. container
ADJ.
display
She kept all her trophies in a display case.
She kept all her trophies in a display case.
presentation
a gold wristwatch in a presentation case
a gold wristwatch in a presentation case
carrying
He put the binoculars back in their carrying case.
He put the binoculars back in their carrying case.
packing | glass
The room was full of stuffed animals in glass cases.
The room was full of stuffed animals in glass cases.
cigarette, glasses, jewellery, pencil, pillow | guitar, violin, etc.
PREP.
in/inside a/the ~, out of a/the ~
8. suitcase
ADJ.
attache | overnight
> See SUITCASE
> See SUITCASE
9. grammar
ADJ.
ablative, accusative, dative, genitive, instrumental, locative, nominative, vocative
VERB + CASE
take
In Polish the verb ‘to be’ takes the instrumental case.
In Polish the verb ‘to be’ takes the instrumental case.
CASE + NOUN
ending