case

a basket case

1. someone who is crazy and unable to organize their life. She'll never get a job. She's a basket case.

2. a very poor country which needs economic help from other countries, or a business that is in a very bad financial situation. Twenty years ago the country was an economic basket case.

See also: basket

be on someone's case (informal)

get on someone's case - to criticize someone in an annoying way for something that they have done. Some feminists decided that my remarks were sexist and they've been on my case ever since.

be on the case

to be doing what needs to be done in a particular situation. 'We need to book a flight before it's too late.' 'Don't worry, I'm on the case, just leave it to me.'

a case in point

an example which shows that what you are saying is true or helps to explain why you are saying it. Lack of communication causes relationships to fail. Your parents' marriage is a case in point.

See also: point

get off someone's case (informal)

get on someone's case - to criticize someone in an annoying way for something that they have done. I told him very straightforwardly that the problem had already been dealt with and he was to get off my case. (= stop criticizing me)

get on someone's case (informal)

to criticize someone in an annoying way for something that they have done. I just don't want him getting on my case for being late for work.

I rest my case.

something that you say when someone says or does something that proves the truth of something you have just said. 'It's time Nigel left home, or he'll never learn to be independent.' 'He doesn't even know how to boil an egg.' 'I rest my case.'

See also: rest

make (out) a case for something/doing something

to give good reasons why something should be done. You've certainly made out a case for us buying a dishwasher.

make a federal case (out) of something (American)

to make something seem more important or serious than it really is. He only swore at you - there's no need to make a federal case out of it! (usually negative)

the nightmare/worst-case scenario

the worst thing that could possibly happen. I suppose the worst-case scenario would be if both of us lost our jobs at the same time.

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(a) case in point

one example of this. Elliott is one of the best rappers around, and her new album is a case in point. Boston is such an unpredictable team — their victory over Indiana yesterday is a case in point.

See also: point

a case in point

(a) case in point

See also: point

get off someone's case

to stop criticizing and annoying someone. They think he was trying to cheat them, so they're not going to get off his case.

get someone off your back

I rest my case

you have proved that what I just said is true. Ned's mother said he needs to leave home or he'll never be independent. His sister said, “But he can't even do his wash!” and his mother replied, “I rest my case.”

See also: rest

in any case

whatever happens. You should be able to catch a bus, but in any case you can always take a taxi home. In any case, you should test drive the car before buying it.

Usage notes: the same meaning can be also expressed by come what may, come hell or high water, at (the very) least, and either way

one way or the other

See also: any

in case

if. I don't expect much traffic, but in case there is some, I think we should leave early.

in case of something

if something unusual or unexpected should happen. In case of fire, go immediately to the nearest emergency exit.

in the event of something

just in case

only if something happens. We keep a lot of food on hand, just in case there's a storm.

Usage notes: often used without any following clause: Make sure you have extra batteries available, just in case.

See also: just

make a case for something

to explain why something should be done. Everything seems to be going pretty well, and she has yet to make a case for change.

Usage notes: also used in the form make a case that to explain that something is true: It is easy to make a case that he's one of the best baseball players around.

Etymology: based on the legal meaning of make a case (= to show that what you say is true)

on someone's case

telling someone what to do or criticizing what they do. You're always on my case about my smoking.

Usage notes: often used with get: Perry had been drinking a lot lately, and Beth started to get on his case.

on your back

get after someone

on the case

doing what needs to be done. There is definitely a problem, and we are on the case — that's all I can say for now.