pick up the case

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "pick up the case" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to taking responsibility for or starting to work on a particular issue or situation, often in a legal or investigative context. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, the detective decided to pick up the case and investigate further."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Siena and Rome pick up the case against two musicians, Mariano Apicella and Danilo Mariani.

The Guardian

TMZ reports that the singer retains the right to pick up the case again should he so wish.

The Guardian - Music

Mr. Bush named Henry A. Kissinger, the former secretary of state, as chairman of the commission, which will pick up the case just as Congress is dropping it off.

The New York Times

Stafford Smith can also not comprehend why the defence lawyer failed to demand a retrial when the judge was hauled off on the bribery charges, allowing a new judge to pick up the case despite not having heard the testimony of the key prosecution witness, Butler.

The Guardian

With no sign of a settlement, it is perhaps understandable that Mr. Reed, who waged an aggressive campaign to persuade the New York attorney general, Eliot Spitzer, to pick up the case, has decided to extend his tenure until a resolution is reached.

The New York Times

Recently, broadcasters asked the Supreme Court to pick up the case, which would end the matter once and for all.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Pick up the paper, and the cases are everywhere.

The New York Times - Magazine

Pick up the intervention from the display case.

WikiHow

Trate said he recently picked up the case, thinking "there were things I could do using modern technology and advancements".

Independent

(The so-called Bipartisan Legal Advisory Group picked up the case after the Obama administration said it would no longer defend the law).

The New York Times

Meanwhile, the local Florida press, which picked up the case — it was, as William Finnegan has written, the devotion of his parents that saved it from being lost in the memory hole — and journalists like the Times' Charles Blow, who helped bring it to national attention, have provided real public services.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "pick up the case", ensure the context clearly indicates the subject is assuming responsibility for a previously handled or neglected issue, often legal or investigative in nature. It can imply a renewed focus or effort.

Common error

Avoid using "pick up the case" when referring to starting a completely new case or investigation; this phrase implies a continuation or revival of an existing, perhaps dormant, matter.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "pick up the case" functions as an idiomatic verb phrase. It signifies the act of assuming responsibility for a case, often implying that the case was previously unresolved or abandoned. Ludwig examples support this interpretation by showcasing contexts where individuals or organizations 'pick up' existing matters.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "pick up the case" is an idiomatic phrase that signifies taking responsibility for an existing matter, frequently in legal or investigative domains. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While "pick up the case" appears frequently in contexts such as News & Media, Science, and Wiki, it's important to remember that it implies a continuation of a previously existing case rather than starting something brand new. Alternatives like "take on the case", "assume responsibility for the case", and "reopen the case" can be used for semantic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

take on the case

Emphasizes assuming responsibility for handling the case.

assume responsibility for the case

Highlights the act of taking accountability.

reopen the case

Implies a case that was previously closed is now being actively investigated again.

take up the investigation

Focuses on the investigative aspect of handling the case.

begin working on the case

States the commencement of effort being applied to the case.

start handling the matter

Uses a more general term for 'case', focusing on management.

pursue the matter

Highlights the act of following up and investigating.

investigate the case

Focuses solely on the investigative aspect.

look into the case

Implies a preliminary investigation.

get involved in the case

Emphasizes participation in the handling of the case.

FAQs

What does "pick up the case" mean?

The phrase "pick up the case" means to take responsibility for or begin working on a particular issue, investigation, or legal matter that may have been previously neglected or handled by someone else.

When is it appropriate to use "pick up the case"?

It's appropriate when someone is taking over responsibility for something that's already in progress, especially in legal or investigative contexts. For example, a detective might "pick up the case" after the initial investigator retires.

What are some alternatives to "pick up the case"?

You can use alternatives like "take on the case", "assume responsibility for the case", or "reopen the case" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "pick up the case" formal or informal?

While the phrase "pick up the case" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, it often appears in news reports and legal discussions, suggesting a neutral level of formality. It may be less appropriate for highly formal academic papers, where more precise language might be preferred.