IN CASE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does in case mean? 

• IN CASE (adverb)
  The adverb IN CASE has 1 sense:

1. if there happens to be need

  Familiarity information: IN CASE used as an adverb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• IN CASE (adverb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

If there happens to be need

Synonyms:

in case; just in case

Context example:

I have money, just in case

 Context examples 

Don’t wait up for me in case I should be late.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

“By the way,” said he suddenly, “I think I’ll take one of these pistols upstairs with me in case we have an alarm.”

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Keep your schedule light, just in case, in the days that follow the new moon, January 24.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

I took their names and addresses, in case they might be needed.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

But they must excuse me if I saw everybody out first, and turned the lamp off—in case of fire.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Read the guide to learn how to use the items, so you are ready in case an emergency happens.

(First Aid, NIH)

The cells don't know if things are going to get better or worse, so they hold on to some survival molecules just in case.

(Cells Back from Brink of Death, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

"It's a useful thing to have in the house in case of fire or thieves," observed Laurie, as a watchman's rattle appeared, amid the laughter of the girls.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

In the meantime I took every precaution to defend my person in case the fiend should openly attack me.

(Frankenstein, by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley)

I'll take him in a line when we go treasure-hunting, for we'll keep him like so much gold, in case of accidents, you mark, and in the meantime.

(Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson)