lose the case

USAGE SUMMARY

"lose the case" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation where someone fails to prove their argument in a court case. For example, "The defendant was unable to prove his innocence, so he ended up losing the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

"We may lose the case.

The New York Times

Few expect him to lose the case.

The Economist

"But we didn't lose the case.

Independent

It did not lose the case outright.

The New York Times

If the wrong words were used by either party, that party might lose the case.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The Supreme Court threw the case out this summer; the women did not lose the case.

The New York Times

If Rangers lose the case they could face a bill reaching £49m.

The Guardian - Sport

"We didn't lose the case -- it has not been argued on its merits," he said.

The New York Times

The industry is probably aware they are likely to lose the case.

The Guardian

Even if they lose the case, it's a Pyrrhic victory because the small company has wasted so many resources".

The New York Times

"If we lose the case and have to pay we'll be forced to sell the company," Mr. Gabbana said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In legal analysis, provide context by explaining the specific reasons why a party might "lose the case", such as insufficient evidence or flawed arguments.

Common error

Avoid mistakenly using the adjective 'loose' instead of the verb 'lose'. 'Loose' means not firmly fixed or attached, while "lose the case" refers to failing to win a legal battle.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lose the case" functions as a verb phrase indicating the failure to win a legal dispute. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts, as seen in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

8%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lose the case" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to describe the failure to win a legal dispute. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent appearance in news, media, and encyclopedic sources. When using this phrase, remember to distinguish it from 'loose' and consider alternative phrases like "suffer defeat in court" or "fail to win the lawsuit" for variety. The phrase serves to clearly communicate legal outcomes and is applicable in both formal and informal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fail to win the lawsuit

Directly states the failure to achieve victory in a lawsuit.

suffer defeat in court

Emphasizes the experience of being defeated in a legal setting.

not prevail in the suit

Emphasizes the lack of triumph in the legal action.

get an unfavorable verdict

Specifies the negative outcome in the form of a verdict.

be ruled against

Emphasizes the act of a ruling going against someone.

be unsuccessful in litigation

Highlights the lack of success specifically within a legal process.

be handed a loss in court

Highlights the reception of a loss by the court.

meet with legal failure

Focuses on the encounter with failure from a legal standpoint.

be found liable

Indicates a finding of responsibility or fault.

come off worst in their case

Focuses on the negative consequence of the case.

FAQs

What does it mean to "lose the case"?

To "lose the case" means to be unsuccessful in a legal proceeding, failing to convince the court or jury of your argument.

What are some alternative ways to say "lose the case"?

You can use alternatives such as "suffer defeat in court", "fail to win the lawsuit", or "get an unfavorable verdict".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "lose the case" in writing?

It's appropriate to use "lose the case" when discussing legal outcomes, providing legal analysis, or describing the consequences of a court decision.

What factors might cause someone to "lose the case"?

Insufficient evidence, weak legal arguments, or a failure to effectively present one's position can all contribute to someone losing a case.